I'm on an acreage near a very sprawling "city" where it takes 20 minutes to get from the west side to the east. We have not explored the small towns nearby as possible places to live (the commute, ugh). My mom's hometown is now a ghost town. It's really sad to see how towns have declined all over America. Some small towns manage to thrive even in the 21st Century. But the small town with its own grocery store, cafe, theater, etc, is almost extinct.
I hope you get your antique sewing machine repaired and that you can resume another one of your many many talents!