What’s Your Neighborhood’s Walk Score?
During a recent apartment search, I came across a real estate ad boasting a particular building’s Walk Score of 97 out of 100. The link led me to walkscore.com, a website that rates cities, neighborhoods, and even specific addresses based on how easily you can get around on foot. Proximity to stores, restaurants, schools, movie theaters, parks, and even bars is taken into account.
This is a great resource for city dwellers like me, who often walk not for exercise or environmentalism, but out of sheer necessity.
I sold my last car in 2002 and have spent the last seven years bouncing from Chicago to New York City to San Francisco—three of the site’s top cities. When apartment-hunting, I’ve discovered that having a 24-hour pharmacy or carry-out sushi joint right around the corner can make a ho-hum listing seem like a gem.
Even if you don’t live in the most pedestrian-friendly area, this site can help find the best neighborhood near you. For instance, Jacksonville, FL, ranks low on the list of walkability, but its San Marco neighborhood scores a respectable 80 on average, and parts of this neighborhood score as high as 94. According to the site, the area takes inspiration from the Piazza di San Marco in Venice, Italy, and its short blocks and abundant pathways help make it a walker’s oasis.
Sounds like a step in the right direction!
Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/edgarzuniga/ / CC BY-ND 2.0
—Victor Maze, art director
