Collin,
While i aggree with a lot of what you say, you have an odd take on familly. Seriously, do the people you see every day care nothing for thier loved ones? I have chossen to live away from my home land and away from my family, so if they need me, i will go to them.
I am not an island.
Affordable flights home are important considerations when living abroad.
Never underestimate fammily ties, better to use them to give you confidence to exist in the out side world