I always thought this whole "walkable cities" thing was overblown as a car-driving American suburbanite. Then I moved next to a grocery store and about 4 restaurants that I like. I got into the habit of walking to the grocery store a few times a week and it's honestly so great. I had a 1 hour lunch break and I'd walk to the store with just a small shopping bag and buy a few groceries and something fresh for lunch. I'd walk back home and eat it and still have 10 minutes left over. Sometimes I'd go a week without getting in my car. I really miss it and the exercise. Even re-reading this makes it sound so boring and duh, but you just don't understand until you live it for a bit. It just feels so good to get off your ass and walk while getting shit done at the same time.

My city has a car-free area for ages, but people don't value it :(

I have one in my city, albeit its in a touristy area. We also have a riverside park that stretches for about 10km that connected to this car-free spot, so i can basically park my car a bit upriver then ride my bike toward the spot. And if i want i could ride the bike up and down the river for a 20km exercise. It's awesome, more place should have something like this.

I love these car-free areas, but it's really hard to find parking near them.