I've done both. There is a time for someone to lived isolated from family. When family members do not respect our privacy and needs. When their behavior is more what an enemy does, separating us from long cherished friends, things like that.

And then, when we are confident of being able to deal with them without losing it and cherish loved ones and/or those old friends. To be able to see those we love, in person. To be there for them, when they need on the ground help. It's not just for us to move close to them.

In the end, what do I (we) want our last days to be like. My mother, when she died, knew for 4-5 months she was terminal, with liver cancer that had metastasized from a primary source. Now, even though liver cancer is notorious for bad pain, her's just disappeared her last weeks. She was able to stay at home. There was enough time for all her children and siblings, church people, and beloved friends to get to visit her, one or two at a time. Then, she took a nap one day, and never woke up. That's was it.

I honestly can't think of a better way to go. Yet, if you have no children, those siblings of yours and old friends must be all the more precious. It's not all what is best for you, what is best for them, too. I think I would move back, in fact, after 15 years isolated except for one child, I did. Six years later, the blessings are still unfolding to me (and to my child who is now an adult).