Assuming your ground is suitable for a basement, there is no reason a basement cannot be as pleasant as the rest of the house. The key is your ground water levels.
Simply put, no amount of waterproofing will keep a basement dry, or structurally sound, if the water table is above the level of the basement. Even temporary increases in the water table - such as might be caused by a heavy storm, or seasonal runoff - vastly increases the challenges.
Assuming you have a good site, comfort is the result of three factors: lighting, ventilation, and insulation.
"Insulation" is the tricky part. You're best served by spacing your wall coverings off the foundation walls, leaving an air space between for moisture to drain. Likewise, the floor is best built up over the cement slab, leaving a small gap around the perimeter.
