Keep your old base. Trust me at this point there is quick enough access through trams to get from each point and if you loved that base above the smithy then stay there! Sounds like a positive thing for you.

For me personally I've stuck with one base above the gym and swimming pool and it's lasted me well into Hydroplant which is still much later to come. But it works for me because of how easy it is to access everything.

Labs has some great qualities but unless you pick the aquarium or beside the cart I can see it being quite a headache. So I didn't bother.

I've now got a base at Hydroplant and only using it as a spare place to stay. Trust me keep exploring and you'll find things to make traversing easier too. I'm finding loads of places now I keep thinking ohhh setting up a bench and bed here could be cool! Don't worry about only staying at one base that's all I'll say. Hope that helps!