I've been away from NYC for two months and I really missed walking! I always considered myself lucky when I lived in NYC that for several years, I lived close enough to my workplace that I could walk there. For a while, I lived 1.5 miles away and had a great 30 minute walk each way. Then I switched jobs and the office was 1.8 miles away, so I got even more exercise (in addition to training for a half-marathon!) plus time to ponder the meaning of life and other important matters.
I've been known to walk over 4 miles from my downtown office to dinner with friends up by Lincoln Center. Some say I'm crazy, but I just love to people watch and see the hustle and bustle of the city, so when given the time, I walk everywhere. Of course, I also loved the ability to just hop on a bus or the subway to get where I need to go as well. Just in the last two days, I've taken the bus/subway combo to and from NYC to my mom's place in NJ. It took me 1.5 hours each way and I was able to read and crochet during the ride. This is one of the perks of the city that I miss when I'm in Orlando.
Back in Orlando, I walk and bike everywhere that I can... which isn't much. It's too bad that I now have to own a car, make regular trips to the stinky gas station, and drive alone to places all the time -- usually in traffic too! I haven't been able to figure out our bus system yet, but that's next on my list of things to tackle. Still, regardless of where I am, I am thankful for alternative transportation!