personally i couldn't care less about resources, the stuff that i can buy on the open market is quite nice enough (although i do like my fancy new axe, thanks grape!... [please don't take it away] ). w5 i didn't have any resources owned by my village above q40 and i still had loads of fun as an arms dealer to the factionless. the stuff wasn't spectacular quality but it got the job done (in amusing/pyrrhic ways, often, due to the nature of the customers).
i really don't want there to be a situation where you can boat for 3 supergrids and almost certainly not see anyone... its pretty cool boating down a random river and meeting someone you already know from the forums
If there were 2000 people online, then maybe expanding would be a good idea.. I don't really think its needed now though.