Does the city/town matter

First year in Swansea is now over, so I have some thoughts on the city. The city and the university when they go together can be wonderful. Great uni. However, I have doubts on the city. Not only did I find the city quite small, but I also found it to be pretty grotty (poor investment in the city sadly), quite unlively (Wind St is really the only sign of life in the city since the city centre is pretty underdeveloped), unfriendly people in some areas and also a lot of drunks. I know that may seem very harsh, but that's what I perceived it as. Now what I wanted to ask is: is the city a critical part of the student experience. Not only that, but also can the city mould a students perception on their experience in the university?