No they are trying reverse psycology on you...they too really want you to go.

Yes we have been that road and thought the same then again is it a case they are stuck here and wish it on everybody else many do not have any family out here and will grow old with no one giving a sod about them?

They are the pioneers of their families....they will have their kids and their grandkids, and who knows great grandkids.

Some do and some have no children at all , also some have grown up kids who now are back in the UK because the work is better paid there and have grown bored of WA.
Because of the size of this country a few also have Kids that have settled in other states that take a plane ride to keep in touch.
You are right over the top with the word pioneers most here could not fight their way out of a paper bag , my wife who has seen the old peolpes homes here reguards old age care as very poor even compared to the UK , forget home care none here , as I said it will be very lonely for many of the aged here.