I truly think it depends greatly on so much.
What type of quilting do you do?
How often do you replace and or service your machine? Do you have a back up machine?
Do you like to go to retreats?
Are retreats an excuse for a holiday, or do you prefer to sleep in your own bed?
Do you want to join a guild?
What type, traditional, modern or a mix.
Do you want to do Charity work?
Although I live on an island, my Local Modern Quilt Guild is one of the largest in Canada. Even as a new guild (3 years old), we have completed a dozen charity quilts, have had great workshops with out of town presenters. We have monthly sew ins. There are numerous LQS within an hours drive