I think that it is because many Americans have no experience with the other as a lifestyle.

I’ve had it both ways, and there’s nothing that compares to having your own house and land with privacy away from noisy neighbors.

When I lived in a city there were more things to do, and I could bike to work, but the crowding feels like a social prison. Also I saw some people get shot, and thieves stole things from my porch repeatedly.

I grew up in exactly that kind of environment; really, the land (and the wildlife that comes with it) is the bit I miss the most. I’d take a very modest house on a decent plot of land in the middle of the woods to living in a city.

I want to live in a modest house within walking distance of downtown and unspoiled wilderness. How do make this happen?

Any small town in New England

Such as? I feel like New England is like 90% sprawling suburbs like the rest of the country.

Also by downtown I do mean a real downtown with actual amenities.

@LibertyLizard @btsax Look at the MBTA commuter rail map (or NJ Transit, SEPTA around Philadelphia, or Metra around Chicago). A lot of the regional rail stops are in or near historic downtowns that provide some downtown amenities plus rail access to the bigger city. Houses near those downtowns are generally more expensive than sprawlier suburbs but cheaper than the central city.