Over the last 20+ years, almost all of the fastest-growing metro areas in the U.S. have all been in "landlocked, monotonous, boring flyover country." These include places like Denver, Phoenix, Las Vegas, the Twin Cities, etc. And
Fortune magazine's annual list of the best places to live in the U.S. has historically included a disproportionate number of small cities in the Upper Midwest -- including places like Fargo (ND), Rochester (MN), Sioux City (IA), Sioux Falls (SD), etc.
There must be something about these places that makes them attractive places to live, no?
Count me out.
That's your prerogative. But keep in mind that a lot of other people share your preference -- which is why you are applying the term "overpopulated" to a country that isn't overpopulated in any sense of the word.