Where I live, it is not horrible. It's low COL, not too big, the people are nice, and I get to participate in college football tail-gating to the max, but I won't stay here. We're here for school, and while I enjoy the program and people, I hate the weather, I hate the pitiful things they call trees, and I hate being so far from any kind of family.
I'm pragmatic enough to enjoy it while it's going on, and I'd probably even stay longer if i get offered a job at the end, but if I became FI tomorrow I'd be planning my move by the afternoon.