So what makes a neighborhood ‘walkable’ anyway?

Talking about living in a walkable neighborhood sounds great, but what are the actual metrics? Do I have to live in New York City, sell my car, and schlep all my groceries home on foot? That works for some people, but we can all try to target areas that give us even a small level of walkability. 

Author Jeff Speck has a fantastic “General Theory of Walkability” in which he says a city is walkable if it fits 4 requirements: Useful, Safe, Comfortable, and Interesting. This makes total sense but I think it can be even simpler. When considering a location, ask yourself, “Can I take a walk here that is both functional and pleasant?”

Functional

The ultimate goal is to replace trips that you would otherwise have to make by car. Walking to school, work, or the grocery store would be amazing but can you simply reach a coffee shop, neighborhood restaurant, corner store, or playground? Count that as a victory! There are so many benefits to being a pedestrian (more on that in future posts). 

Pleasant

You may be relatively close to some amenities but do you feel like you are taking your life in your hands getting there? Some things that contribute to pleasantness are well-kept sidewalks, proximity (depending on the task maybe a 15-20 minute distance), low/slow car traffic, tree shade canopy, interesting things to see, buildings close to the sidewalk, and perception of crime. Also keep in mind if you feel out of place being a pedestrian. So many places are designed to be accessed in a car (hello, drive thrus!) that walking there can feel not-so-pleasant.

Choosing where you live has so many facets. It sounds minor, but walkability can have a huge impact on your day-to-day lifestyle. What makes a neighborhood feel more walkable to you—access to useful places, safety, or just the overall vibe?