Yea ... the primal association with Post-Appocalyptic is that it isn't going to get better any time soon.
Meanwhile, here its used as the setting/background for a 4x "Renaissance" period of civilization ... much like FFH2
Of course ... another thing to think about, is that the Cataclysm isn't just cosmetic but is VERY much a part of the lore, and the fact that you are probably going to have to deal with the sins of the past (pre-Cataclysm).
So basically, there used to be a whole lot of stuff ... but everyone was ruled by Titans. Now there are no more Titans, but there is still a whole lot of stuff left about in the Ruins. Meanwhile the earth isn't completely dead, and the Nations are rebuilding and establishing political rule (where before it was just revival in anarchy).
Also, while I don't mind Inns, I don't think all quest-locations need to be so cookie-cutter. Not only that, but such locations need to be more sporadic, and hopefully persistent (don't disappear) ... and have multiple quests at various times/ tech levels.
And occasionally an Inn could pop another Level 1 Quest ... and 5-10 turns after solving that one a level 7 quest is popped.