Except for "Greater selection of goods, food and produce", all the ones you add seem like they could be costs rather than benefits, for many people. Closer proximity to other people in general, for example, was one of the harms I was thinking of. But I'm slightly more misanthropic than most Americans, I guess.
The one about greater selection isn't actually true, as far as I can tell. You can get pretty much anything shipped to your small town, and while you're less likely to just run across something at the store that you find you like, you'll be paying lower prices for everyday stuff. I live in the DC metro, and every time I travel to visit friends or family (who all live in far less densely populated areas), I'm struck by how much cleaner, cheaper, and open everything is, and how everyone seems friendlier and less suspicious.
An advantage neither of us mentioned, but which is pretty large, I think, is that people are less likely to have to move or change careers when changing jobs.
Closer proximity to other people in general, for example, was one of the harms I was thinking of. But I'm slightly more misanthropic than most Americans, I guess.
Misanthropy often comes down to a matter of quality rather than quantity. I've lived almost my entire life in small towns, and I'm not inclined to speak highly of the people I shared those towns with. For one, while small town folk are probably friendlier and less suspicious towards their own kind, you're also more likely to find various forms of bigotry. It's no coincidence that everyone I know of from my high school who happened to be black, gay, bisexual, or otherwise a minority desperately wanted out and for the most part have moved to denser areas.
I'm from the DC area, but now live in Columbia, SC. Every time I go back I'm reminded of how many different cultures, things to do, types of food, places to have a drink , listen to live music, etc... there are. I love Columbia, but you can't beat living in a major metro area if you like to enjoy new experiences.
Now keep in mind that I'm 22. Maybe as you get older, small towns with only a Waffle House and Jimbos Sports Bar (which closes @ 9pm) become more appealing. In most of rural America, the people are incredibly nice, but the poverty, lack of education, jobs, healthcare, and public services is appalling (theres a reason rural Tea Partiers are so angry). With that said, every place is what you make of it.
Here are a few that I came up with in 30sec:
Varied options on things to do (like you said)
Closer proximity to other people in general (more social opportunities)
Commuting on foot
Better access to more government services
Greater selection of goods, food and produce