3.New York
Loads of restaurants, stores, schools, hospitals, and offices pack each neighborhood. So you never have to go more than a few blocks to get what you need. A lot of folks who live there don’t even own a car. It’s smaller than you might think, too: You can walk from Central Park to the southern tip of the island in about 90 minutes. And of course, history, art, food, and culture ooze from every block.
4.San Francisco
You can stroll through historic neighborhoods like Russian Hill and The Castro, or seek out trails sprinkled through the city. “San Fran” is also a feast for the eyes, which should help distract you from some insanely steep hills. (On the bright side, you might be able to cancel that gym membership!) Fair weather all year means you won’t break too much of a sweat. But if you do, excellent public transportation can get you back home.