Is your neighborhood walkable? I don't mean taking an afternoon stroll walkable, I mean being able to walk to the grocery store and to restaurants walkable. If you're curious how a neighborhood ranks on the walkability scale, check out Walk Score.
The setup is simple: you enter your address and Walk Score will rate the walkability of your location on a scale of 1-100. Here's the breakdown:
- 90 - 100 = Walkers' Paradise: Most errands can be accomplished on foot and many people get by without owning a car.
- 70 - 90 = Very Walkable: It's possible to get by without owning a car.
- 50 - 70 = Some Walkable Locations: Some stores and amenities are within walking distance, but many everyday trips still require a bike, public transportation, or car.
- 25 - 50 = Not Walkable: Only a few destinations are within easy walking range. For most errands, driving or public transportation is a must.
- 0 - 25 = Driving Only: Virtually no neighborhood destinations within walking range. You can walk from your house to your car!
Unfortunately, one thing Walk Score does not take into account is how pedestrian friendly an area is. For example, in order to walk to some of the businesses that are very close to my office, I would have to cross very busy and very non-pedestrian friendly streets such as Kingston Pike and Montvue - not something I relish doing.
But all walking aside, Walk Score is also simply a nifty way to scope out nearby shopping, parks and restaurants when moving to a new area.
So check out Walk Score - enter your own address and then come back and let me know how walkable your neighborhood is in the comments. Walk on!
4 comments:
Island Home got a 22... but I knew that. That's the biggest drawback to living here. Nothing close. But, I'm not selling because of that. Love it too much.
My score for Walden Legacy Apartments off Middlebrook (near Cedar Bluff) was a miserable 17. That said, I do walk and ride my bike to the two grocery stores up and down the street. But everything else requires a car.
I believe that as gas prices rise, the type of development occurring in West Knoxville will not be able to sustain itself. Perhaps we will return to villages instead of suburbs.
23, condos right off Middlebrook/Galaher View. I don't walk anywhere, I prefer to live to see another day.
My score a whopping 28. I can walk to Weigels, but that is about it. We need more integrated neighborhoods!
Interesting post, and tool.
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