Although I can relate to everything you said, that's actually not my situation at all.
I essentially left professional flying in 2012 with 3800 hours because I considered the industry to be kind of messed up on multiple levels, between the seniority system, lack of stability, predictability, low pay for years and years, and so on. I realized it wasn't going to provide what I wanted out of life. So I quit.
I got into aircraft sales work, bought a house, got married, and settled in to a great life... coincidentally, a seven hour drive from literally any major airline hub.
When the "pilot shortage" hit and pay/schedules started noticeably improving, I decided I would give flying a shot again at a local operation in 2016.
At this point I'm so settled in life, I have nearly zero interest in moving and definitely have zero interest in commuting.
Maybe I'd be more open to 121 in ten or fifteen years when my kids are older as a "retirement gig" of sorts.