I try to think of areas in USA where I might be happy and don't really come up with many answers.

  I think the first thing that would tick me off would be the fact that you cant' live anywhere outside of crazy populated areas without needing to own a car.  I would prefer to live the rest of my life without ever owning a car again.  It's very doable over here but any time I get in a taxi in USA I feel like i need to take out student loans to get to my destination .