To think that I'm the only person on MN who doesn't live near their family

[stopbeingadock]

That's it, really.

It seems that everyone on here lives near their parents, in laws, cousins, aunts, uncles, siblings etc, etc, etc (every other thread seems to be about grandparents providing childcare or providing inadequate childcare or not providing childcare at all, even though they live next door).

Among my friends, I'm perfectly normal, in that we all live where we live for a variety of reasons, from work to 'just because it's a brilliant place to live'. But I only have one friend who has local family.

Is it really that unusual?

Only child. Single parent to 2. My parents live 270 miles away.

I'm 300 miles from mine. It's great 😂

I hate being away from mum and sis. But no choice. Don't mind being 4500 miles from inlaws!

Different country, quite far.

I think it really depends were you live. My area has a good mix of people whose family live locally and those whose families live miles away. We are in the SE, commutable to London. Lots of people move here from London, then when the kids are older move further out.

In a different country from all of our families. My brother also lives in a different country from our parents

I have never lived near family in adult life - thank goodness! But also lived some distance from grandparents, uncles etc in childhood, so all completely normal to me. Most people I know moved away for university and/or jobs - often more than once. Their siblings did the same, so families quickly become very scattered. Perhaps it really depends on a person's socio-economic situation?
I certainly find it odd when people say that they see their parents, siblings etc every week, constantly "popping in" and having "family meals" - I have no idea how they find the time and how they also make time for friends. I just know that I would find it completely suffocating, and I'm so glad that I never had to live that way.

I live with my mother because I’m her carer. My sister lives two hours’ flight away (we’re in Australia). I have no idea where my brother lives and never want to see him. They’re the only ones I know who are still alive. I have lots of cousins who as far as I know live in this state, but I wouldn’t know any of them, we never lived near each other and they are all a lot older than me. It always feels almost claustrophobic when people I know talk about their families visiting all the time!

Most my family are 100's of miles away and the rest live at least 2 hours away.
I moved away from my family their ok in small doses 😭 I see them when I have too and send cards on their birthdays and Christmas.

My husband's family are closer but we don't really see them very often.

I'm happy not being close to family and it's a nice break when we go and stay with them for a few days.