Your last paragraph reminded me - I moved to the city for the first time and I live above a bar. It's loud sometimes, and I like it that way. Because sometimes it's nice to have that "occasional audible reminder that there are other people nearby having a good time".

I grew up in the burbs and don't miss that kind of peace and quiet in the least. Quiet in the country is one thing, it's beautiful. The isolated, space-station type of existence most people live in the suburbs and exurbs is just too deathly still. I like fireworks for the same reason I like sidewalks that actually get used.