Where I grew up in West Philadelphia was pretty much perfect. My parents hate cars and don't have one, but the neighborhood has most things you'd need on a regular basis within a mile or so, and so they walk everywhere. Then the trolley stop is half a block from our house, which connects you to all the public transit you need.
I really wish cities would start to be maximized in efficiency by building more high-rises instead of having everybody want to own their own little homestead and generate endless miles of sprawl everywhere. EVENTUALLY we'll run out of space, but not before there's no nature left.