With reference to LR and the combat encounters, I can understand it. But I insist on thinking outside the box without blinkers. Many here are only fixated on fighting and companion dialogues... But for me there is another one main reason namely LR for restocking vendors inventory as I reasoned at another thread:
As a passionate thief, I long rest more often. If only to rob the vendors with their changing offer. Some stuff like potion of invisibilty or two hand crossbows, you don't get that quickly. Same for extra spells by scrolls or healing potions if you play without a healer class. I also need a supply of magic projectiles for my fighter to replace the missing Arcane Archer subclass.
So thieving is my main reasons for long resting and it would be annoying if I cant do this bcs of a too limited way.
Later in Baldurs Gate or other towns / villages you will surely have plenty of taverns and inns to stay overnight, so it's like a permanent LR. Deriving from this and with foresight on the changing trader offer, I propose as a compromise: set up / keep areas with vendors as unlimited LR save zones like Druids Grove. I am open to the design of LR outside of "vendor areas". This point should definitely be taken into account.
