Sounds like I live near you NCR. I grew up in Cary (there really are some people who did). Was dragged kicking and screaming out to the country (Eastern Chatham Co) by my wife who loves horses. We built a custom house that we plan to retire in, it's 15 years later and I'm the one who loves it out here the most. Peeing off the porch, taking care of the horses, watching the night sky with a bonfire, etc. etc: the whole experience. Took up a great hobby (flying) because found out a small airport was within 10 minutes of my place. I work in RTP but my 30 mile drive to work takes the same amount of time a drive half as long took from Cary. Wife has a business back in Cary so we drive a lot... but we don't mind, it's worth it to be in the country! But if you are in that situation, don't cheap out on your car.... buy something you won't mind spending 1-2 hours a day in.
For practicalities, you talked about healthcare. You just have to pick the right place. I'm not far off US 1, hop on that and can be at Western Wake in 20 minutes. I still have all my doctors, etc in Cary and and Apex. It's not the distance that counts, it's the time to get there and going 60 on country two-lanes beats stop and go, stoplight-every-block in-town traffic that causes trips to take just as long.
Only regret is the internet situation. I telecommute a few days a week and would do it more if I could do better than 5M DSL, which is very good for this area and took 9 years to get. In fairness it was 1999 when I moved out here and broadband wasn't widespread anywhere and if you could get cell service you were connected, baby! Within a few years broadband became key and it was a struggle getting it here, too long a story to recount here except it involved begging, cajoling, bribing, lobbying, etc etc. Surrounding areas still don't have it. Now if a house doesn't have wired broadband access, knock 20% (at least) off its value. It's a big issue around here.
I have seen people poo-poo connectivity issues, saying they are moving out to get away from it all, but a few years after moving out those same people are complaining the loudest about slow internet. Do NOT underestimate the contribution of decent internet to a rural quality of life. Amazon Prime keeps you from having to go shopping in town, online banking reduces in-town errands too, etc.
Other potential regret: have to be able to drive to live here. If you lose your ability to drive, you have to move back into the city, no ifs ands or buts. That may be a way down the road "when I'm elderly" consideration, but I had a relatively young co-worker who had a seizure of some type and as a result lost his license until he could show was "cured," which took a couple of years (doctors are required to report that to DMV). That would be devastating for a rural dweller and was sobering to see. Honestly if it happened to me I would probably keep driving without a license, because there really is no alternative.
Good luck, maybe we'll be future neighbors.