What is a "Walk Score" most listings in the MLS will advertise a walk score for a home, business, etc. But what exactly does it mean. Here's to shedding some light on what is a "Walk Score."
Walk Score Description:
90–100 Walker's Paradise — Daily errands do not require a car.
70–89 Very Walkable — Most errands can be accomplished on foot.
50–69 Somewhat Walkable — Some amenities within walking distance.
25–49 Car-Dependent — A few amenities within walking distance.
0–24 Car-Dependent — Almost all errands require a car.
Walk scores measure how diet lite you can be with using your vehicle less. Not how pretty the location is to walk.
Walkable neighborhoods offer surprising benefits to the environment, our health, our finances, and our communities.
Environment:
Cars are a leading cause of climate change. Your feet are zero-pollution transportation machines.
Health: The average resident of a walkable neighborhood weighs 7 pounds less than someone who lives in a sprawling neighborhood.
Finances: One point of Walk Score is worth up to $3,000 of value for your property.: Studies show that for every 10 minutes a person spends in a daily car commute, time spent in community activities falls by 10%.
What makes a neighborhood walkable?
A center: Walkable neighborhoods have a center, whether it's a main street or a public space.
People: Enough people for businesses to flourish and for public transit to run frequently. Mixed income, mixed use:
Affordable housing located near businesses.
Parks and public space: Plenty of public places to gather and play.
Pedestrian design: Buildings are close to the street, parking lots are relegated to the back.
Schools and workplaces: Close enough that most residents can walk from their homes.
Complete streets: Streets designed for bicyclists, pedestrians, and transit. .
Example: This home located on Ficus in San Marcos, California has a walking score of 52---which means that there are some amenities that are within walking distance.
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