...suburban, car-dominated lifestyle.

   I'll conjecture that, for many people, the potential 
   benefit of living "close to nature" is more than negated 
   by driving everywhere

It's not possible for everyone, of course, but the work-from-home rural/suburban lifestyle has a lot more plusses than minuses IMO.

It's close to nature, and my driving is very minimal. In an average month I spend maybe 3 hours in a car. Can walk in the park every day, etc.