The choice between &quot;dense urban core&quot; and &quot;suburb&quot; is distinctly American. Especially in Europe, city (in the sense of &quot;not suburb or rural&quot; != center of a large (1M+) population.<p>In America, any region with a population the order of 100k or less is basically a shopping area surrounded by suburbs. The same is <i>not</i> true in Europe.<p>In Europe, you can definitely find walkable, breathable, friendly cities while still living in an area that is safer than (and has a smaller population than) the typical Chicago suburban area.