Very true about the schmoozing. Can't schmooze very much in a country town and there is very little support from peers (because you are the only guy doing the job in town!)
... so the isolation was the final straw for my DH. And they wonder why they can't PAY people to move to this region (there is a $7,000 grant for city peoploe who sell their home to move here... they expected hundreds to take up the offer... about 3 are thinking about it!) Sorry off topic now but there is so much more than hourly rates when it comes to a viable career. Interesting thread though.