I've not used VS2022 offline so I can't comment on whether it works fine or not. If you want to use .Net6+ then you need to use VS2022. It is an improvement over VS2019, especially with Git. As for Nuget, you don't need a dedicated "Nuget application server" as such, you can just use a regular folder as a Nuget package source, either on the same machine or a shared network drive. VS2019/20 is happy to find and install packages from a plain windows folder. You just wont get some of the extra meta data that a Nuget server adds.

I've had a couple of Epson inkjets over the years and always been impressed (surprised even) on how well they handle my lack of use. Very occasionally I need to run the "head clean" routine but not more than once. Not sure if always using genuine Epson cartridges contribute it that. Currently I have an Epson XP-6000 (scanner + A4/CD printing) and am happy with it. Only thing I'm nervous about is the ink cartridges only suit this one model so Epson might stop making them sooner than other multi-model cartridges and render my printer useless.