The US homesteading is not the standard in a lot of places. Loads of places put all the houses together in a little village and the farmers go out to the fields instead of living isolated at their farm. Also, you have to remember that if we actually did outlaw private motor vehicle ownership, commercial transportation would explode. Much, much smaller towns would have access to regular bus and train schedules. Furthermore, the business landscape would change and your standard stores would again be more accessible in smaller towns.
Would there be some disadvantages? Absolutely. Would there be some advantages? Absolutely.
I consider the advantages to be more than worth it, even in the more trying situations.