If you’re looking to move, the neighborhood you choose can make or break your quality of life. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to figure out which neighborhoods are the best fit for you and your family, including the number of parks in the area and whether it’s close to stores and shopping areas. A walkable neighborhood has all the conveniences of a car-dependent neighborhood but also allows residents to walk to most daily tasks. Here are some signs that indicate you’re living in a walkable neighborhood.
Walkability score
The first thing you should look for is a walkability score. This number measures how easy it is to get around on foot in a given area. The higher the number, the more walkable the neighborhood. Areas with scores of 60 and up are considered quite walkable, and areas with scores below 40 may be difficult to navigate on foot. The number of shops within an area can also indicate its walkability. Areas with at least three or four shops per square mile are considered quite walkable, while areas with less than one shop per square mile are not very walkable at all. Check out this map showing walkability rankings across the United States.
The street network
Another of the most important things to look for when trying to spot a walkable neighborhood is the street network. A good street network will have a variety of streets (local, collector, and arterial) that are well connected and provide good connectivity. Local streets should be safe and comfortable for pedestrians, while collector and arterial streets should provide safe crossing opportunities. The width of the streets in the network is also an essential factor: Streets in a good pedestrian network should typically be between 24 and 40 feet wide. If you’re looking at residential areas, make sure there are sidewalks on both sides of the street. If possible, sidewalks in commercial areas should generally be eight feet wide or more.
Residential density
An excellent way to tell if a neighborhood is walkable is by looking at the residential density. If many houses and apartments are close together, that’s a good sign that the area is designed for pedestrians. If people live farther apart or in one-story homes on large plots of land, it’s less likely that walking would be an option. Phoenix, Arizona, is one example of a place with low residential density and not very walkable neighborhoods. There are plenty of cars and highways, so even though you can see a few bicyclists around, most people get around using their cars.
Land uses on streets
A mix of residential, commercial, and public space uses is ideal, as it provides opportunities for walking to different destinations. For example, one block may have a bakery with outdoor seating in the front, while the next block over has an apartment building. Land use also means a variety of buildings that are close together but not right on top of each other. When streets get too wide, people stop walking them because they don’t feel like they’re getting anywhere; when streets are too narrow or congested, pedestrians can be pushed off sidewalks by cars or street vendors. As we said before, some public spaces should be sprinkled in: plazas, parks, squares–anything where you can sit down and enjoy the scenery without being surrounded by noise and traffic all day long.
Sidewalks, bike lanes, and trails
Sidewalks, bike lanes, and trails are all good indicators of whether or not a neighborhood is walkable. The more sidewalks, the better. Bike lanes are also key for many people who don’t have their own transportation. If you see people walking or biking on your way to work, you likely live in a walkable neighborhood. Trails are essential for connecting destinations that are too far apart for walking but too close together for biking; they provide an opportunity for physical activity while traveling from one place to another.
In a nutshell, walkability is a lifestyle choice about maximizing your independence and minimizing your reliance on others. It’s not just about transportation—it’s about living your best life. What matters most when evaluating if a neighborhood or city is walkable? Accessibility: Is it possible to get around without driving? Inclusivity: Is everyone welcome in this space? Connectivity: Does this place connect people with other places in meaningful ways? The more these three attributes are present, the more likely you’re living in a walkable neighborhood.
