I assume there's a level of connection that is differently deeper with people nearby. Unless you really have good solid feelings for the people you talk to online, but I never feel the same when I meet someone I like to be in the same room with. It's less fickle it seems (<= emphasis on seems). There's a lot about internet that was about freeing yourself from geography. No more locked in your local culture. I believed it was necessary but I think otherwise today. I value local a little bit over my personal clicking with people on the other side of the planet.

My 2 cents