Personally, for me.. I like living farther away from my family for one simple reason. I get along better with my mom when I live miles and miles away. I love my mother dearly, but when we're together too long we fight. Our personalities are just too similar. Rigt now, my DH and I live in Maryland. My mom lives in DC, my dad lives in West Virginia, and my gran lives in VA. DH's Dad and his girlfriend live in Manassas VA, and I don't know where his mom lives.. she's crazy and we don't have much contact with her. I can't wait to move out of Maryland, as we're going to Alaska or Russia next (DH is military). I prefer living farther away from my family because it's made me become more independant, and it's given us the opportunity to learn how to do everything ourselves.. from home repairs to dealing with finances.