Finding Walkable Neighborhoods in Bethesda and Nearby Maryland Suburbs

The concept of assessing the convenience of a particular area based on rating the neighborhood's walkability is a radical new idea that could change the way potential home buyers make purchases. Prospective buyers in Montgomery County can actually computer the walkability score of addresses in Potomac vs. Rockville vs. Gaithersburg, for example.

Many east coast cities like Philadelphia and Boston were designed as walking cities when it was common for people to live and work in the same areas.  This grid-like development pattern did not work elsewhere in the country.  After World War II, having a car became the norm, the highway system was expanded, and companies often moved to the suburbs so fewer people walked to work.

These days, high gas prices, a concern for physical fitness, and weariness for crowded highways and long commutes, have made the ability to walk to your destination desirable again.  There is renewed interest in making areas "greener,' with reduced pollutants from cars and increased use of public transportation.  More walkable towns and cities encourage personal interaction and foster the sense of community.

What makes an area walkable?  According to the Sightline Institute, a walk-friendly area has a center like a "main street" where businesses are clustered.  The businesses are close enough to the street to encourage people to walk into directly, in contrast to entering from the parking lot.  Population density in the area should be substantial enough for local businesses to flourish and for public transportation to run frequently.  The area should featured mid-use housing for residents of different income levels that is near workplaces, schools, and other popular destinations.   Needless to say, the street should be handicapped accessible and built on a grid to allow easy access to different locations from several direction by car or on foot.  Streets should feature pedestrian medians, protected bus shelters, and bike paths.

Walkability scores are determined by how accessible services are; any amenity within .25 miles is considered walkable until it is one mile away.  The composite scores are organized on a 100 point scale

99-100 The Ultimate Walker's Paradise - you can perform most errans on fot without needing a care

70-89   Very walkable

50-69   Somewhat walkable but many destinations require a car, bus, or bike to get there.

25-49   Car dependent

0-24     Car dependent . Most walking will be to your car!

How do Montgomery County neighborhoods stack up? 

Within the cities in Montgomery County, many neighborhoods are highly walkable while others feature long, rambling streets with few services within walking distance.  Scores vary by particular addresses but homes in some ZIP codes are have high scores. 

The scores, of course, only measure that a representative service is available in the area, not your preference or not where similar items might go for the best price.   In walkable areas, at least you can get a dozen eggs or a cup of coffee or perhaps a pair of shows without going too far. 

Interested in buying where some things you need are within walking distance?  Enter your prospective Montgomery County address here and then give Courtney Griffiths to see the property.  I can help you determine all the things that are important to you when you buy a Maryland home.