Las Vegas is just one place (which is a very bad example, I'd never want to live there either). I could name you at least 10 others places you'd never consider but has "people that don't suck", acceptable climate, liberals (I assume this is what you mean by values), good schools, low crime, etc. Can't promise jobs (they exist anywhere and everywhere, but are not abundant obviously). But no one is accusing anyone of staying in a HCOL area for their great job as something bad. I only think it's crazy to think that a HCOL area is inherently better if you're someone who could live anywhere (FI). We're "Mustachians". We're not only thinking about 10 years down the line, we're thinking about our entire lives, which includes moving to other, better places in the future.
In my experience, all local gov's suck (mostly because they all operate in the same archaic, universally adopted manner). Literally no one says "I want to work for the local government". Smaller local gov means less regulation, less ordinances, less problems.
Couple clarifications so you get where I'm coming from:
Vegas-I used to live there so it's an easy example to give to ourtown who asked if all burbs were not effectively the same. My point was not at all that there aren't burbs that are closer to an ideal of nice climate and more affordable.
No I didn't mean liberal by values. I meant a strong community, commitment to education, an eye towards making the city/burb a pleasant place to live and raise families, etc. Not a blue vs. red issue, either can have this.
I agree that it's crazy to assume that a HCOL area is default 'better', but I don't think I ever said that. The point I'm getting at is a balance sheet that includes lifestyle factors rather than just pure $$.
So instead of: "How do I maximize savings and FIRE?" it's "How do I maximize savings and FIRE while living in a place that meets criteria X,Y and Z?"
RE Culture:
How bout a thriving live music scene of the type you're into, hearing a popular speaker (free or pay), theater, festivals for the subgroups you're into (veg fests, local brew fesst and so on), cultural specific events (we do a lot of Polish but have also been to Indian and others), educational events for kids, volunteer orgs for causes you're into (MTB trailwork for me!), professional and even amateur sports, professional/networking groups and so on.
This isn't to say smaller places don't have some of this, but the level and variety definitely is ramped up in cities. Dunno why the sarcastic tone or needing to explain this stuff? But there it is. :D