"major reason for using a VPN: making it look like you're somewhere else"
Not at all. That's just one reason, and maybe one of the major use for a personal perspective when you have specific needs, but VPN were created to build a secure communication channel between two endpoints over an insecure one.
You would create a site-to-site VPN between company sites to join networks. You would create a VPN to a remote location to work as if you were connected locally.
Actually, using a VPN to "appear" somewhere else is just a side effect which can be useful in some circumstances - usually to bypass restrictions or avoid to be tracked, not really a broad need... hope it won't become.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
