There are, of course, too many beautiful places on earth for any one person to visit in a life time -- ten lifetimes. I think we all choose where we want to find our beauty, friends, peace, etc. If we're really lucky, we get to know some of these places more deeply and become part of the community with friends, family, and even a history within that community and some contributions to that community.
Clearly, what works as beauty and the good life for some people doesn't work for others. I like having people next door to me and I like sitting on the porch watching people walk by, talking to them, inviting them up for a snack -- it's the kind of environment I want our kids to grow up in as well. I like the kids hopping on a bike or taking a walk and knowing they can go to the beach, the market, a store, a fountain, a place to snack, a state park, etc. As an adult, I like being able to have all those things as well as many different kinds of restaurants, shops, a fantastic bookstore, outdoor concerts, even massages a few times a year. And all this within 6 miles of our cottage. And I know that most of the year -- September - May, I can get exceptional peace and quiet as well (with the exception of spring break). In the late fall, it's often just me and those I'm with at the beach and the Monarch Butterflies that migrate through for hours on end unless I/we seek out company. We've been connected to SoWal for over 4 years now and we're still looking forward to exploring some of the other areas nearby -- Cape Blas, etc. -- the nice thing about having a place here is that I'm not in a hurry to do those things because I figure we'll have decades to explore the area and for now we're just so happy right on our porch/beach/pool with each other and the wonderful people we've gotten to know in SoWal.
As some people on this board know, my two other favorite places on earth are a little town in Tuscany where my father was from and the coast of Maine. But SoWal has my heart - sigh
Of course, SoWal has plenty of growing pains, but I'm happy to be part of it as it continues to find its way (that little town in Italy and the coast of Maine have changed, too, in the decades I've known them, but they're still awesome to me).
Frankly, my favorite threads on this board are not those that focus on complaints/insults/snide remarks, but those that share good humor, good will in good times and bad times, beautiful photos, and good ideas about places in SoWal and elsewhere to go, things to do, food, etc. But that's the beautify of SoWal.com -- there's something for everyone!
It must be unbelievable to live there joho!! It's funny I was just thinking this am what it would be lkie to just get to stay a month down there,much less live there!!!
:bicycle: 
Good thing. What if everybody wanted a secluded lot? 