Minecraft wiki entry for Best_biomes_for_homes, associated text: Many hazards such as hostile mobs in the dark, lava lakes, loose gravel that can create cave-ins, dungeons and other structures.
Lots of mining may need to be done to clear out an area for a desired structure.
Many resources needed for ongoing survival such as wood and foods will require the player either first bring them from the surface, or find a structure such as mineshafts or strongholds that provide such things, wandering trader may also solve the problem as long as the player has a large quantity of emeralds.