My favorite cities:
I like Santa Fe, New Mexico and Durango, Colorado. Not too big, some interesting history and culture and some great natural areas around them for hiking, etc.
My favorite Canadian city is Montreal but I don't like the location. My favorite location is Calgary (why I moved here) but the city is not great but 'OK'. Off to the mountains tomorrow for some hiking in real wilderness but the view of the cranes across the skyline on the ride home is 'blah'.
I've live a few places in Europe and almost everywhere is fine for a year or so but just too many people and too many layers of baggage from history. i need to 'get away' in real nature and not the artificial enclaves they've preserved.