Yeah there is a lot of freedom that comes from a smaller set of choices. Java is so vast and so many libraries it is overwhelming and solutions are usually over engineered. With Go its nice to just write some code.
I still love C++ but rarely code in it any more. One interesting thing is that the whole modern approach to immutable data structures seems so wasteful to me now. C++ you literally take strings and overwrite characters, where now people duplicate lists of records just to stay clean.
Once you have the discipline you need in C++ to make mutable data structures work its a hugely efficient place to be. However I sleep much better in the non-C++ world.
You can get a bunch of refurbished micro PCs coming out of corporates on ebay for a cheap price. Pis are nice but with cases and power supplies they aren't so cheap and storage is a hassle.
I spent 10 years doing C# on a big system and love it. However it never got the momentum Java did so I've switched. I prefer C# over Java, I hate a lot of Spring attribute/factory/builder craziness, but Java has so much more wider support I would always choose it first now.
Whenever I hear someone saying the market is huge I think of this classic Thiel talk. Sounds like its definitely something you should watch. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Fx5Q8xGU8k
They broke it they have to fix it. You need the light shining on that team, not strive to fix it yourself.