same, and, the house while a nice place to hang out even for 3-4 months a year, isn't a place you want to go the winter
(I never intended to, the Philippines are calling when the snow starts flying in BL).
But like you say, my wife wants to be near the kids and some of the grands. But I believe you can visit and over visit. And you don't need to live 1/2 hour away.
But for those 4 months, man... that's living