This is all very vague. "Sick town", "living like an ant". Can you actually explain what you mean by any of this?
I'll give you a specific example of why I think Toronto is good. Almost any night of the week I can catch a subway to a music venue - listen to some live music, drink a few beers, socialize a bit. Then I can get home without paying for a taxi or breaking the law by driving intoxicated. What's the equivalent weeknight activity in the suburbs? Sitting on my ass and watching TV all night? How is that less "sick" than what I described? This contrast is especially stark in Canadian winters when the weather and early sunsets make outdoor activities less desirable.
In every conversation I've had on this subject, urbanites discuss the "lack of nightlife" as a problem. My opinions are twofold on this:
A) If you need beer and nightlife to distract you from living in an urban dystopia, there is not much I can do.
B) Most folks that want to leave the cities want space to do things with their families.
1) At night in my semi-suburban setting that I live in now, I work with my kids on things in my garage. Before we had kids, I did the same. My property allows me to spread out and have a woodshop, metalshop, lab, garden etc.
2) In the springtime/summertime tend to my garden (yes at night) so that I can eat natural foods without needing to share an "urban farm". Again, kids are included in this now.
3) Teach/play instruments without the restrictions of an apartment.
4) In the winter sure, if you want nightlife, there isnt much of that.
I don't drink and only listen to gaussian white noise so perhaps I'm not the right person to ask if you're looking for a "nightlife" centered activity/answer.
I'll give you a specific example of why I think Toronto is good. Almost any night of the week I can catch a subway to a music venue - listen to some live music, drink a few beers, socialize a bit. Then I can get home without paying for a taxi or breaking the law by driving intoxicated. What's the equivalent weeknight activity in the suburbs? Sitting on my ass and watching TV all night? How is that less "sick" than what I described? This contrast is especially stark in Canadian winters when the weather and early sunsets make outdoor activities less desirable.