Here's a list of the most "walkable" cities. Yes, you can live without your car.

You can live without a car.

You can shop locally.

You can avoid the gas station.

Really.

Here's a list of 40 big cities, led by San Fran, NYC and Boston, based on their 'walk score', and an article about the results.

Here's a better list, of walkable small towns, and another one with small and medium cities - note that Boulder is #1 (of course).

HP'ers know that I don't drive anymore - haven't for years. I walk everywhere, and take the trains, the buses, the metros and the tubes. But cities in Europe are built for this, not for the car. America is different. Or at least it was different. The change is gonna come. Quickly.

America's love affair with the car and suburbia is over.

Future generations of Americans are going to be looking for a different way of life - one not built around the car. Some cities and towns will get it and re-engineer, others won't. Some will see massive investment in public transportation, pedestrian zones, bike lanes and re-urbanization. Others will do nothing. And then Americans will make their choice.

And those homes in the far-flung exurbs that realtors were pushing?

Worthless.