Been to Manhattan a couple years ago, it held little attraction for me and I was ready to leave after doing what I needed to do. I personally prefer somewhere between town and small city - just big enough to have a few major stores and a fire dept.  I do like to be able to walk to a corner store if I need something. But I don't want to know everyone I pass along the way, although its fine if I know some of them.  I don't want a paved jungle of suburbia with planned communities of houses where I can see in my neighbor's windows, but sidewalks are nice.