Even if you like the the town/settlement idea there has got to be some ideas on what to spend your caps on. Instead of just bar and shop think of something, like instead of a trade shop what if you set up a small workshop that turns out ammo and weapons and the more you invest into the workshop the better the weapons you get, or spend a bunch of money on buying a pump so you can tap into an aquifer underground. If you choose not to set up a shop, but want trade you can buy your own pack brahmin and traveling merchant guy you'd have to invest money into the caravan guard and into the stock as well. It doesn't have to be amazingly deep just a little something to keep you occupied. Because after a certain amount of time you are going to start losing the thrill of taking down yet another Fiend.

I like having houses, but managing a town no, maybe helping push the town in a certain direction through a quest but not running a town and being a mayor/despot.

I'd love it.

This is the old CSA argument, just because it is there doesn't mean you have to use it so if you don't want a town then just don't do it.