I've noticed that too. My N800 seems to catch on to networks that are far away. For instance, I've noticed that I could latch onto the Panera Wifi all the way over in the strip mall across the street from the Staples in another strip mall. These two stores are in malls completely across the street from each other and the N800 seems quite content with communicating with either of them even if I'm standing in the Staples (obviously, I'd find the Staples wifi faster if I'm standing in it--but if Staples is having issues with their free wifi, I have a fall back across the street).

I've had similar experience everywhere and I don't seem to have much of an issue connecting to pretty much any wifi with the N800. I'm certainly on the praise-N800 wifi bandwagon.