It's good that you are able to put a silver lining on that dark chapter in your life buddy. I can relate to wanting to be away from tourist areas which is why i live in a distant suburb of Chiang Mai far away from all the tourist attractions.
The shuttered businesses is truly tragic because 90% of them were small operations. The big companies of course were able to weather the storm and had government assistance in doing so. It's always the little guys who get screwed.
How long has it been since you last taught English? I do it now and wouldn't say I love it, but I don't hate it either.