I always appreciate your thoughtful comments.

What you say makes sense. Obviously, all of this stuff is complicated. I'm talking about one aspect that I observe often based on my background and experiences. And I find that the bond to family, even if cultural, is more an obligation shrouded in guilt. This breeds resentment and lost opportunity. In these cases. Ultimately this comes down to the distinction between healthy attachments and co-dependency and enabling others amid unfair expectations.

As for Spain, while there are strong family ties there, it's no different than growing up Italian American in the northeast United States. At the family level. I don't think this has much to do with the public social life.
I think you know, by reading my stuff, that we're not viewing Spain as a vacation. I focus very much on the quality of day-to-day life and the small things that make it up. I feel like we have what we want from the routine of life more there than we can here. The cost of living is a major factor. And the ability to travel more is gravy, but also a lifestyle we want and can't have here.