There are various factors you need to consider when choosing a new home - and a walkable neighborhood is one of them. Before you rent or buy a home, you should first find out if the place is pedestrian-friendly or not.
It's nice to stay in a neighborhood that allows you to get around without a car. Strolling around is also a good exercise, not to mention it's relaxing, economical, convenient, and better for the environment. Most home buyers want all those benefits; that's why a walkable neighborhood is one of the main factors they consider when looking for a new home.
But how will you know if the neighborhood is pedestrian-friendly? Here are some tips that will help you spot a walkable community.
Conduct some research
Today, the internet is where people go to whenever they need information about almost anything. If you're a homebuyer, the internet will also be a great tool you can utilize to give you general insights about the neighborhood. You can also use it to view ratings and comments from people living in that area.
Although it's a bit challenging to determine if the neighborhood is walkable by only using online information, there are other valuable neighborhood details you can look into when considering buying a house there. Such information includes the number of people living in the neighborhood, nearby places to walk to, proximity to public transportation, and low crime rate. All this information is a good indication of a pedestrian-friendly area.
Use technology for a virtual tour
Aside from the internet, there are other technologies you can utilize in determining if the neighborhood is walkable. For instance, Google map's street view feature enables users to take a virtual walk in the community before looking in it in person. One thing you need to remember is that the virtual tour will probably not tell you all there is in the neighborhood since you won't know when those pictures were taken.
Search for pedestrian-friendly features
There are certain things you need to look for that will help you determine if the neighborhood is walkable. The most apparent features are pedestrian signals and crosswalks. Check the neighborhood to see if they have enough room for people to walk and if it's safe and easy to cross the streets.
Other pedestrian-friendly features include street benches and some shade where people can rest. Also, consider the traffic situation in the area. See if the local traffic is at an acceptable speed and people feel safe walking nearby.
Scope out the commute
A walkable neighborhood is the one where people can get in and out of it without a car. Check the transit networks such as train, bus, or bike-share around the neighborhood. Map the route to your workplace and see how long the ride is and how long it is to walk to the train or bus.
Check for local dining spots around the neighborhood
Check if the neighborhood has local dining spots or plenty of places to eat. If there are many restaurants nearby, your neighbors are more likely to be out and about as well.
The walkability in the neighborhood is one of the most important factors when deciding on a new home. The freedom of walking from place to place any time of the day without worrying about your safety is a luxury to many. However, many parts of the United States simply don't have it. That is why it's an advantage to know how to spot a safe and pedestrian-friendly neighborhood to live.
