America and suburban living

Just the other day ,For no sensible reason while flipping thru the channel , got drawn to the OC housewives show. Among the group of housewives, one particular one had a suprise Bday party thrown by her husband on a yatch. As they set sail to enjoy the holiday, the housewife in question( who is quite a control freak) in her household , for a change did not have to plan or control anything. The entire notion of being able to spend quality time with her husband put things in perspective for her as she realised how futile it was to maintain her 15 bedroom organe county house and it made more sense to move in to a smaller home or condo and spend most of her time, instead of attending calls for the many things to be attended by her in her household, with her husband. She thought for a second that was good living.
This one thought made my wasted time in watching the OC housewives worth as it dawn on me suddely what I was looking for. I seek a home but not necessarily the palatial mansion with 50 rooms and no people or friends to live with. I would rather have quality time in a smaller den surrounded by friends and wellwishes. This thought could have partially been influenced having lived most of my life in a denser environment in a urban setting. Having seen the merits of knowing your neighbours and the idea of community , it drives home how less dysfunctional we were growing up , unlike the millions ones in America's isolated suburbs.