He needs to be Clark Kent. The way I view it is that Clark is the opposite of Bruce. Where people see Bruce Wayne as the mask that Batman wears I view Superman as a mask Clark chose wear because he has accepted the responsibility to use his powers for good. Of course as Superman he is still very much Clark Kent and doesn't become a completely different person like Bruce/Batman. That is always the way I viewed it. The reason he goes through so much trouble to have an identity, a job, and interact with people in normal setting is because those types of bonds and relationships are important to him. Despite being some powerful alien he is at his heart more human than most, which is a product of how he was raised as Clark Kent. He is a very humble and caring person which is why he is a good hero. Having these things and showing they are important to him makes him more relatable.
The idea of Clark living as a wondering nomad just seems so counter to the person he wants to be. That is a miserable existence. He was raised in a small town by a loving couple in middle America. He wants to be with others and connect with them. So I also think that him being Superman full time with his identity public would also be a miserable existence for him too. Since just like being a nomad being looked at as a Godlike alien by everyone all the time would be very isolating.
But this is just the way I've always looked at his character. Now if you don't want him to be a reporter anymore that is a different discussion.