Also to add Ul'Dah is the center of the map so you can get to LL and Grind walking without wasteing a lot of anima.

So people set up shop there and travel by walking . Now if we had chocobos and the airship was in service im sure people would stay within there home area more. Until Ish is open then that will be the new hub of action ( sorta like jeuno or WG in 11)