oh lord, this thread is like my dream come true.
but uh, holy crap, some of y'all have some depressing cities
okay here's mine...
mine would be a city in green grassy hills, with small lakes everywhere. dirt paths bordered with patches of soft cool moss would wind all around the hills. spiral staircases would lead to houses, stores, sanctuaries, and temples both low and high in the trees, with hanging wooden bridges connecting the higher levels. there would be plenty of pretty areas (like walls of water, etc.) that exist just for the sake of existing, and tons and tons of places to explore. there'd be lots of fountains and windchimes, and tons of plants and vines and fragrant flowers in all different colors. the city would be illuminated by electric string lights, paper lanterns, and lampposts - eclectic but in good taste. the sky would be, normally, a bright azure blue, and occasionally dotted with white and neon-color clouds. and insanely colorful sunrises and sunsets. the weather would usually be pleasantly cool and sunny, with mild seasons. everyone would sleep longer in winter and less in summer..
people would be friendly, generally artistic and all a little strange. all different colors, shapes, customs, talents, and crazy makeup and jewelry/piercings/tattoos. some very refined and elegant people, and other kinda crazy nature kids, and lots of large families all living together. adventure sports would be common but people would pay a lot of attention to safety equipment - it's the only thing they're really neurotic about. bizarre creatures would wander around as well, mostly curious/friendly, all wild but some choosing to bond with families like pets. there'd be regular (fairly disorganized) festivals with meaningful ceremonies and regular group singing. they'd celebrate some undefined greater life spirit that comprises everyone and everything. little idea-fairies would flit about in glowing neon colors and lead kids on fun little adventures. there would be symbols from many different languages inscribed everywhere, all sensical but many unfamiliar. the primary language would be clear, melodic and have regular conjugation... sort of like halfway between french and finnish. placenames would be long but pretty. alternatively, people would just speak in images.
the people would also all like to gather together and start big projects, but some people would still wander around the outskirts because they are rebels and feel like doing their own thing. and, sometimes, they would distract everyone just for the fun of it, or because they feel like what they're doing is honestly more important. everyone else thinks this is kind of amusing but really annoying when there is an actual problem to be solved. rarely they have to be tazed/knocked out for their own good - more about that later.
when it turns nighttime, the city transforms into a vibrant gritty nightlife, full of nooks and crannies and dark places to hide and search, techno music with a pumping bassline, neons lights and tons of stars (and occasionally random planets) in the deep black sky, fireworks and people in all black long coats and high boots working in seeming rebellion for the greater good of the people. everyone would have tons of sweet techno gadgets like hoverboards and headsets and DDR (some gadgets obviously being more productive than others). and non-fatal weapons, in case the outside world threatens to disturb the city's sense of self-sufficiency. sleep sounds like a good idea but doesn't always happen because everyone's too into their projects.
on the edges of the city, there would be idyllic farms and lots of horses and cows and the occasional herbivorous dino, and roads to other places - there would be tons of trade going on all the time, because the people are interested in everything. and occasionally, the trade influx would be so great that everyone would wake up to discover that the city has been engulfed by foreign artifacts, to the extent that it has transformed into some kind of theme, like a scottish castle or a shinto temple - it dwindles after a few days, but some artifacts will always hang around.
further out, past the farms, would be oceans, deserts, moors, and forests where people can go alone to relax and contemplate. they're a little scary, though, sometimes, the infiniteness of them - and occasionally even in the middle of the city things can disappear slowly, if no one pays enough attention to them, even if they are good. sometimes the city doesn't remember all of its own history, especially if it was not so positive. there are lingering fears and anxieties in certain places, sometimes triggered by even vague references. the people are very interested in inter-city politics, but have a defensive streak. they get upset when other cities forbid certain things, even though it borders on being none of their business. the city also really like to be celebrated and awarded and talked about, especially by its favorite other city. it can even be a little bit snobby, even though it tries to be a haven. its worst fear is being cut off from everyone, forever.
thunderstorms would sweep in occasionally, dark and chaotic and full of lightening and heavy rain, and the people have to seek refuge in their homes. sometimes, if the storms go on too long, there can be damaging flooding, even trees down. and when there's real trouble, everyone freezes and puts everything on hold except that one task. if you're not on board with the agenda, you get knocked unconscious by the people who are, to ensure maximum efficiency. unfortunately, that means sometimes the city loses sight of some of its important ideals in the process of handling crises. it can be very rigid, critical, and high-intensity.
but when the crisis is over... well, back to the whimsical, adventurous everyday life :]
yup, favorite thread ever
EDIT -- well i didn't even answer the question, did i? i think that most people would really enjoy staying in my city for a while, but you would have to be okay with quirky things and really intense projects and a bit of anxiety to live there, as well as lots and lots of colors. and being knocked out if you're not helpful during stressful times. and occasional group singing.