Any place outside of the I-95 ring isn't going to be a good choice for the list of priorities that you've highlighted.

One of the reasons that Newton is so bustling is that it is basically the most connected suburb of Boston.

1. It borders Boston, and shares major passageways such as Commonwealth Avenue (rt 30), Boylston Street (rt 9).
2. I-90 which is the major east-to-west passageway of Massachusetts (and goes from Washington State to Massachusetts) - passes through Newton.
3. I-95 which is the major north-to-south passageway of the east coast (Florida to Canada) - passes through Newton.

That unique position means that Newton is the perfect non-urban mixing of people, ideas, cultures, businesses, etc.

Newton is in the middle of a reinvigoration of their village centers - and they are improving safety for bikers and pedestrians while they're at it.

As others have mentioned, Newton has 13 villages and Newton is making some real improvements making the village centers a great place to hang out (for children and people with children).

There are some great wooded parks in Newton such as: Cold Spring Park, Edmunds Park, and others.

Driving through Newton can be a problem during the am and pm commute hours, but any other time of day, traffic is quite reasonable.

Newton is also very convenient for getting to Logan airport (20-30 minutes during off hours) - for when you want to take an airplane to visit Arkansas (and travel anywhere else for that matter). Or for getting to South Station - for when you want to take the kids on the Amtrak train to visit Manhattan (or anywhere else that the trains can take you).