I guess it depends somewhat on what you call "Medieval" (?)

The High Medieval (AD 1000 to 1250) seems to have been a golden age, as you describe - possibly aided by the Medieval Climatic Optimum.

But I wouldn't want to have lived in Europe during the Early Medieval period (AD 600 to AD 1000) - a.k.a. The Dark Ages. (The gloomy feel of this period was portrayed rather well in 'Monty Python and Holy Grail'. Some of the Pythons were Medieval scholars before turning to comedy, and were pretty clued-up.)

Nor in Late Medieval period (AD 1250 to 1500) when, despite the culture being relatively advanced (think Gothic cathedrals, Giotto, and very fine suits of armour*), the quality of life was ruined by wars and uprisings, plagues, famines and generally bad weather. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crisis_of_the_Late_Middle_Ages

* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plate_armour#/media/File:Italian_-_Sallet_-_Walters_51580.jpg