I live in Chicago, and have for over two decades. I have never owned a car here.

Within one block of my house, I have a nice playground park, a public library, one major and one minor bus route, and a great K-8 public school.

Withing two blocks I have a supermarket, a health clinic, two convenience stores, several fast food options including small independent shops, and a great highschool.

Within half a mile I have a coffeeshop, another elementary school with a gifted program, commuter rail to the suburbs, a brewpub, a public pool with a waterslide, and two more major bus routes one of which takes me straight to work and the other takes me to the Korean supermarket with the steamed bun stand.

Within a mile I have a two bakeries, a wine bar, a pharmacy, two large parks each with free preschool and playgrounds, another public pool, light rail into the city, a hospital, and another major bus route.

I commute by bicycle and Chicago is flat as hell. My route to work is fully along bike lanes, about forty percent of that protected by a concrete curb and another forty percent on a beautiful side street along the train track embankment covered in murals.

Cost of living? My house is 1050sf and cost $102K. I earn $55-60K annully and support a family of five on that. Without the cost of a car, it's easy.