Where does Gandalf live

[Galadriel55]

Originally Posted by Inziladun

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.

Very interesting thought indeed. I suppose it's a very short step from thinking "this is the manifestation of my power" to "I am the lord of this property", and Sauronity begins. It's also very interesting that in the closest to a declaration of power that Gandalf ever made, he named himself a Stewart - knowing that Middle-Earth bears traces of his influence and power, but not appointing himself as its lord or master.