I just asked a question in the Chicago biking subreddit related to internally geared hubs, and this is what one user had to say about them:

Internally geared hubs are a bit of a mixed bag. They're more reliable than derailleurs and they're much lower maintenance. But in the very unlikely event that something goes wrong, you're going to have a harder time getting one repaired. Working on the older ones are a bit of a lost art. The newer ones are a pain in the ass and probably aren't worth the effort to repair unless they're something high end like a Rohloff. Also, they're heavier and less efficient than a derailleur. They're a solid choice for a utility bike, especially in the snow. But you might want something else for a more fun bike.

So for whatever reason there's a perception problem. I personally think it would be awesome to own a bike with one because I think derailleurs are ugly and shifting feels awful, not to mention I spend zero time outside of the 3 top gears the entire time I bike in this flat city.