my current folder structure is
-- project folder
|-- package.json
|-- react-project
|-- src folder
|-- public folder
My node version is 18
In order for npm start to work, you have to run the command from the same directory as your package.json.
node_modules, package-lock.json, and package.json should always be at the root of the project as a good practice.
If you move these files/folders it can disrupt the pathing of them.
For example, inside package.json at the top you will a line somewhat like: "main": "node_modules/expo/AppEntry.js". If you move node_modules or package.json, then this will no longer work. It would need to be changed to something like, "./node_modules" or "../node_modules"
If there is a specific reason you need to move this folder, then you will have to do some reconfiguring to ensure the pathing is correct.