Apps that don't rely on google push notifications usually come with a workaround that shows a permanent fake notification; which then allows normal push functionality. If that doesnt bother you it works perfectly fine without play services.

What makes me keep it myself is the necessity for certain play store exclusive apps such as banking and the one for my local public transit. Can't do without those

Yep, those are all issues you run into. Without microg you lose quite a bit of functionality. Personally, I'm content with sending less data to Google, so I leave some things alone.