it is a different way to live versus what many may be used to, but like anything that is different, it need not be considered inferior.
the living situations for work -related 'tours of duty' are actually, in many ways, fulfilling. years ago, we did 6 months in Baku to work the oil business, several weeks off, then back. the on-location conditions made working an easy focus, productive, and work/non work was nicely integrated. This was similar to the period of constructing the Alaska pipeline.
Ennis was perfectly comfortable in such a situation. "don't have nothin'...don't need nothin'..." His heart was full of core values and love for his man, his children, and his memories.