AN,
That was a wonderful description and pretty much echos how I feel. The difference is that I chose where I wanted to live and then figured out how to earn a good living there. My RE office is less than 5 minutes from my house and I work from home often. My other local business is the same distance. I do have a significant interest in another business across the country with couple of my many childhood friends (that I have know my entire life, so they haven’t come and gone). For that I can use http://www.gotomypc.com to access what I do for that business from my couch. Right now I am logged into Quickbooks and working on marketing issues acoss the country while posting here, keeping an eye on the NFL draft and entertaining my kids. Definitely a multi-tasking morning!

Culturally we hold many of the same values re family and I see mine often too. My SIL is Thai and I cant wait for dinner tonite! NCC is far more than food and good schools to me. It is beautiful beaches, open space, a sense of history (albeit less than 100 years), parks, quality health care, education, entertainment, activities for my kids through the YMCA and City Rec depts and perhaps most importantly being surrounded by kind, caring, well educated people that share the same values as myself yet all come from different backgrounds.

As long as you depend on an employer you will be limited as to where you live. I chose to take control of my life and select where I wanted to spend the time I have on this planet and the lifestyle I wanted to lead. Only then did I worry about how I would support the lifestyle I wanted. I am living my dream and wish the same for you whatever it may be.