If you want to be part of this process, can look for yourself, are friendly and like the possibilities the village could give you (a combination of being far away and still near enough to civilization, a large space you can help shape into something unique and having a place, that offers anything one would need without the hassle and anonymity of a large village), then Pinevale could be something for you.
(I'd just like to clarify that many of the villagers hasn't left the game, only moved to an outpost on the west coast near the old Oakvale bay. /Carlez)