I love hearing of places that are still close-knit like this! I do wonder a lot about globalization and our tendency to be so far away from the people we love. Friendships are long distance, family members are far away, and oftentimes even significant others. As much as technology has allowed us to connect with people across the world, it's no replacement for actual community.

But what is one to do? Force their friends to never move away? :) At the very least we can keep in mind that human connection is important and try to create community out of the people around us.