> Then friends won't visit, it's more of a hassle to schedule - however infrequent these visits are they'll be even less frequent.
I would MUCH rather stay in a nearby hotel (and have my guests stay in a hotel). I would feel less like I was imposing.
> You'll go fewer places and do fewer things if everytime you want to go somewhere you have to deal with getting a rideshare van.
I think there's likely some truth to that, but it also means I rearrange my life to plan for this better and also to make those outings more meaningful.
> No backyard cookouts, no sitting on the deck, you'll go to the park less frequently
The analogy I use is the gym: I can do workouts at home, but the mental routine I have for getting up and going to the gym means I actually go much more often. Similarly, if there was a nearby park I liked I'd use it much more frequently. I know I felt that way when I lived in the city vs. where I do now in the burbs (note - the burbs weren't my choice ;)