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Originally Posted by Legate of Amon Lanc
It is pretty clear that Gandalf does not have any "permanent residence", and I think in the essay about the Istari in Unfinished Tales it is maybe even stated explicitely (but even if not, clearly enough). I think it is at least implied also that the Wizards' "settling down" was partially also a failure, both in case of Saruman (who wanted to become a "politically established power" and also wanted to "show off" with his "Wizard's tower") and Radagast (who just chose a shelter to hide in among his favourite animals).
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I don't know how I missed this before, but I think it's an interesting point.
Getting a "base" could be the first step, for one in a position of power and authority like the Istari, toward a mindset of domination and empire-building. After all, they were fundamentally the same creatures as Sauron. Gandalf may have deliberately kept his feet wandering not only to explore hearts and minds to see what he had to work with, but also to keep himself out of the "fortress" mentality that Saruman fell into.