Yeah I'd agree that living in an environment with more distractions and emphasis on ego would make it harder. But I don't think that that should be any reason to dissuade anyone against "pursuing" enlightenment. Maybe you didn't mean the word "conflict?" Would you say that moving to a monastery is a form of taking the easy way out? Or is it harder in that you it's a solitary life? Or is it just...is...? Well that's definitely something to think about.

they lose their value and meaning in a Zen sense.

All of those reasons for lacking the qualities of a Zen master I think would be qualities of one (especially the mentality of not being one. I highly recommend Hardcore Zen. But this brings up another question. Assuming the purpose of zazen is to "attain" enlightenment/nirvana (enlightenment/nirvana being paraphrased as realization of the oneness of everything) wouldn't we realize that the caffeine, house, car, other drugs, entitlement to a name, etc. are all just a part of it and therefore not negative? I'm not sure I explained that as well as I could have, but I think you'd understand the point I'm trying to make. Or are they just distractions? Is it possible to even loose Zen value?