"You must feel confined, kind of cut off from the hustle and bustle of life."

I don't feel confined at all and never felt that I'm missing out on anything. If I do, I can always visit. It comes down to preferences I guess. I feel happy in this small safe bubble and feel agitated when I hear about traffic, commute, less safety and security.

About kids, I think they adapt to the change quickly. Kids usually leave when they are 17 or 18; at that age they are eager to experiment and explore the world.