We have previously blogged a bit about the importance of having neighborhoods and living environments that support - even encourage - calorie burning through active living. Walking or biking for errands or commuting is a great way to use calories, reduce pollution, and save on gas. It has been a common practice in Europe for decades. Is it possible that people in the U.S. will want to live in environments that support being physically active? Now there is a website, www.walkscore.com, that will help you find a walkable place to live.
How Does It Work?
After you enter an address for a home or business, you get a “Walk Score” from 0-100. The higher the score, the easier it is to live without a car. The score is determined from a patent-pending algorithm that assesses and compiles the distances to different lifestyle-related features in various categories (stores, restaurants, coffee shops, schools, parks, libraries, etc.). The Walk Score web site is a really neat way to scout potential living areas that have easy access to the things you need and want.
But don’t depend solely on a neighborhood’s “Walk Score” before you plunk down a down payment on a new home. You will need to visit the area because while a “Walk Score” will give you a good idea of the proximity of lifestyle amenities, it doesn’t take into consideration other factors that are very important for overall “walkability.” These include things like:
-
Street design – The sidewalk width and condition (or even if they are present!), curbs, street crossings, signage, trees and green space all add up to a pleasant – or not! – walking experience.
-
Topography – Hills, flash flooding zones, and other landscape features can make walking more difficult, if not downright dangerous.
-
Safety – Crime rates, lighting, and traffic patterns are features that you will have to scope out on your own.
-
Weather – You will need to ask yourself if walking is even an option because of a predominance of harsh weather conditions.
Give It a Try!
The neighborhood I live in got a “Walk Score” of 45 meaning my area is “Car Dependent.” After a three-mile walk this morning with my dog followed by another three-mile walk by myself in the opposite direction, I would rate the “Walk Score” of my neighborhood much higher than 45. It has lots of trees and varied landscape, is adjacent to a university campus, has seven parks within 1.5 miles, and, depending on the route I take, there are places to get a drink of water and go potty. I can walk to a grocery store, Starbucks, and numerous restaurants if desired. Are they just around the corner (“Walk Score” gives the highest score to amenities that are less than 0.25 miles away)? No, but I look at the extra distance as a way to burn more calories.
Fun Facts
Still, we think the “Walk Score” is a great way to learn more about a neighborhood’s proximity to important retail and service amenities, especially if being less car dependent is your health and lifestyle goal. According to www.walkscore.com, the top three walkable cities in the U.S. are:
The least walkable?
-
Charlotte, NC - Walk Score = 39
-
Nashville, TN - Walk Score = 39
-
Jacksonville, FL - Walk Score = 36
Check out the Walk Score site and come back to this Stand Up & Eat blog to report your score in the comments section below.
