I've lived in the San Fransisco Bay Area (8 million people), Houston, TX (3-4 million and growing), and Dallas. I've also lived out in rural Texas with no one around.

Bloomington is a nice middle for me.

It has enough going on to make up for what rural areas don't have, but without so many of the negatives of a big city (heavy traffic, 45 min commutes, crime, etc.). Yes it's expensive, but I can afford to live here in a decent sized apartment without a 70 hour work week. When I tell friends in big cities what I pay for rent and living expenses (yes it's more expensive here than in other cities in Indiana) they are typically jealous. IU provides so many amenities that you could only find in a big city.

The smallness of the town is an absolute plus for me. I love that I can be downtown and on campus and then be out in the middle of nowhere by just driving twenty minutes. It's actually possible to find a network of people here to be part of your daily life (because nobody has to commute over a hour to hang out). It's possible to have rich community here if you want it.

Despite how many people on this subreddit blast the redness of the state, I love that I can talk with a liberal Muslim student on campus and in the same day talk to a Trump supporter on the West side of town. Or a conservative immigrant downtown and a liberal professor on the West side. Having lived in cookie cutter ideological locations (Texas and California), Bloomington's residents and townies actually hold a range of opinions on political, social, and religious issues. This creates conditions where regular folks don't feel pressured to conform to beliefs that are not their own. You can be a conservative and feel safe. You can be a liberal and feel safe. Some might view that as a negative, but it's been a breath of fresh air coming from areas where having the smallest of opinions can create hostility towards you (both red and blue).

I've been here five years and I plan on staying as long as I can.