Long-distance transfer of people and customs produced two different results, depending on the motives of the settlers. Some sought to re-create European prototypes in North America without regard to local environment or economic conditions. Others saw their removal from Europe as a chance to start anew and avoid the problems of the Old World. The New England village system exemplifies the conservative approach, while in Virginia settlers quickly saw the advantages of dispersed settlement given the size of holdings that could be acquired, and they abandoned villages. Of course, regardless of the colonists intentions, the reality of distance from the home country quickly caused American culture to diverge from that of Europe.