Building the return of rural exodus back to the home city or countryside land plot

My suggestion:
Set up a large livable garden house in a corner of the property (it should not be in the way if a house is built later) and use it actively for weekends and holidays. But also mingle with the locals when you are there, otherwise you won’t notice if it suits you.
After 2 years, the decision should be easier whether you want to stay in the big city or if it will be a house build in the small town.
Our son faced a similar decision.
He and his girlfriend are now building here in their hometown (only 1,400 inhabitants) and still keep the 2-room condominium at the workplace, in case the company requires longer hours, a restaurant or theater visit is planned, or the weather is very bad.
They usually drive together in the company car about 40 minutes. A bus runs hourly but takes longer.

We look forward to reading how you decided.

Yes, such a 1-room retreat apartment in a big city would really be something. Simply for retreat or time out or just to crash after a night of partying or dancing all night. Own coffee in your own bed, in the afternoon a trip to the leisure pool and then back home in the evening.

Hey,

so I thought the last approach with "holiday cabin" + possibly a replacement apartment in the city was creative and good. I wouldn't have thought of it that way, but after some consideration I now consider it recommendable. And this way is financially possible for you.

I consider selling the property inappropriate (for now). Properties are extremely scarce and possibly nothing of that quality will ever come again. You might kick yourself in the ass in 10 years, even if you don't need it urgently now.

Somewhere it was mentioned that relatives would buy the property from you. Is that the factor that is creating "time pressure" for you? Besides a bad feeling about not selling the property to the relatives and also not using it yourselves, there is no reason at all why the property shouldn’t remain undeveloped in your ownership for at least another 3 years (until you have to move out of your current apartment). It could do that for another 30 years, and you could cash it in when you retire if building never really appeals to you...

Build and, if necessary, rent out. Never sell soil.

Build on it and possibly rent it out. Never sell soil.

Renting out a single-family house is rarely worthwhile, especially new builds.
Additionally, it's a huge concentration risk for private individuals.