I don't think you need to be cynical about "zomg people's pixel homes." I don't think it's as simple as that.

What E-V, or DoT as they now are, have in the elven quarter is a community of houses that works very, very well for their function. Similarly Stonekeep, it's a fantastic, perfect even, clearing and arena. The Swaggers is another similar hotspot. Everything from the building to it's location to the convenient meadow around it is perfect.

It isn't easy finding a location like that, it really isn't. Like I said, Yew is blessed with a number of FANTASTIC player towns that are already set up. The problem being that for the most part they're owned by largely inactive or absent players and no one, for the most part, has an interest in moving to them.

Gwen, for example, isn't scared of "losing" her precious UO thingz. She just knows that she has an absolutely perfect location for her current guild and that she'll probably never get something as ideal should she move. I think you can understand her hesitance and likewise the hesitance of VTC and Grd (who, most likely, will NEVER move.)