We love it here. I grew up here and have no desire to leave, except for the politics. That, it seems, just gets worse and worse, more and more intrusive.
So when I say, "left alone" that's what I'm thinking about, not by people in general. People (in general) aren't a problem.
We like urban. We like the convenience, we the like services, we like the options. Looking ahead, access to medical care may (as to most) be important to us. That's why I look around at the types of places I mentioned. We've web-searched those downtowns, plus Louisville, Vicksburg, etc.
Who knows what the future will bring?