I understand about the "flux" part. Awaiting an imminent move is an odd emotion to experience. Been there, done that.
"I would have to admit I'm not getting the basement of my dreams, but there are overriding non-hobby advantages to the house I'm buying."
There are times that life circumstances needs to be the priority and not model trains. In your case, the "non-hobby" aspects were more important than model trains, so you made the right decision for your situation.
We were in such a situation as well, which is why the sizable 3-rail collection I had was liquidated (along with just about any other toys I could liquidate): We needed the front money for our first home in 20 years. (Housing was often provided in my vocation at the time.) Liquidating trains was the right decision to make in view of life circumstances at the time, so it was the decision that was made. I try to fit trains into "life" where/how I can.
Rubber gaugin' w/too many interests...
Oh lands me, do I ever understand that, too! You've been in on part of my wanderings!
"HO is even a possibility. I've become attracted to the simpler times of my HO past, but that just may be a festering illusion. This YouTube stirred something deep in my memories. It certainly flies in the face of the prevailing race for more detail, more tech, more, more, more <snip> video:"
I know the feel of that tug toward "simpler". Without intending to, I have a very hi-tech fleet of DCC/Sound equipped diesels (and some steam) on my hands. Yes, there can be "glitches" with the electronics, and it's frustrating, but with my HO, I'm afraid I'm spoiled to the point I will need the DCC, the sounds, MU-ing, etc, in order to be satisfied with it. (However, perhaps that would be case with any scale modeling I should pursue in any scale?) I guess the tug of "simpler" is one of the appeals that led to me to acquire some 3-rail stuff again.
S Hi rail...
I think that looks like a very good way to go, provided there's enough track product available (switches) to scratch the itch. I (personally) have no interest in scratch-building or jig-building switches. "Plop n' play" is the name of the game with me and switches!
On30...
I looked at it. Decided my anal-ness about narrow gauge (I've scratch-built Sn3 stuff... remember?) wouldn't be satisfied with it. So, I poop-canned the idea pronto. (Fortunately, I was able to spend a few hundred dollars within it in order to come to that conclusion! Gotta's spend $$ someway in this hobby, don't we?? 
)
Era shift...
What about your steam engines?
Recap...
Major life changes aren't particularly enjoyable, but oft times necessary. You'll have time to think it through over the coming weeks/months/etc. Hopefully, though, you'll stay within the hobby in some form or another.
All fer now!
Andre
