Within a mile of my house are various grocery stores and specialty stores, restaurants, gyms, banks, a library, train stations, bike shops, etc. You really don't need a car; occasionally it would be a nice convenience, but basically, a car is a luxury here.
Ditto - except for the train station, and add 100's of miles of bicycle trails and a hospital. However, our public transportation is just not there yet. A couple or three buses throughout the day, but the Senior Center does provide transportation to appts., etc. However, given the places we like to go, a car is still a necessity, although, if dedicated, one could really do without.
There is a light rail station about 5 miles away that will take you anywhere you want to go.