my mom had cancer for 9 years before she died. I was mentally preparing for that shit since diagnosis day one. Doesn't make it that much easier. That's how grief works.

But also, we moved from NYC to Charlotte almost 2 years ago for all of the reasons you described. My tribe was nothing but happy for us, because they understood it ain't about them! lol.
But on the flipside of that, i was totally salty when a best buddy of mine moved from NYC to Seattle....even tho i had already left NYC myself! So its not always rational either.