From my experience, you will probably ride it more than you think and really need to go to a bike shop to get one that fits. If it don't fit, it will be a real pain.
For the kind of ridin you are talking about, a towner/cruiser with internal gearing is what you seem to be describing imo. Also there is a wealth of info on the Utility Forum.
Good luck and do let us know what you decide.
Great that you are going the carfree life.