All are wise choices, but #3 isn't necessarily cheaper. It's hard to find walkable placces that aren't priced high: living downtown in large cities is super expensive. Living downtown in a moderate-sized city is a good idea, but there is tons of competition for housing and there, too, the prices are jacked up. In theory you can find a walkable city but in reality if it's nice, clean, walkable, with job opportunities, and in a good climate--it's rare and it'll cost.