Neighborhood Walkability: Get the Score
Hoofing it around is way easier when everything is near your house — and one tool tells you how walkable an area is before you move
Five years ago I learned about the website Walk Score, which uses Google Maps to calculate the walkability of a location based on nearby stores, restaurants, schools, parks and so on. Enter an address or a neighborhood, and the site spits out a Walk Score on a scale of 1 to 100, from "Car-Dependent" to "Walker's Paradise."
The programming and scoring are far from perfect. Distances are as the crow flies; the tool doesn't take into account street layout and terrain. Climate, safety and neighborhood quality aren't considered, either. But the site is still helpful in determining the ability to do things without a car.
I looked at a variety of houses on Houzz to determine their respective scores. All of them are ones for which I could determine the exact address or at least the block on which they are situated. Neighborhood scores are possible, but I noticed that scores can vary by plus or minus 10 points within a neighborhood. So they should be taken with a grain of salt.
To get the ball rolling, I'll offer up the scores for where I grew up and where I live now. I grew up in an old suburb of Chicago with a gridded layout as well as proximity to the commuter trains and "village green." It scores 69 (Somewhat Walkable), but newer suburbs definitely score lower, as they are developed based on proximity to freeways, not trains. Now I live in Astoria, Queens, a 20-minute train ride from midtown Manhattan. My address scores 88 (Very Walkable), but other parts of the neighborhood closer to the shopping streets venture into Walker's Paradise.
The programming and scoring are far from perfect. Distances are as the crow flies; the tool doesn't take into account street layout and terrain. Climate, safety and neighborhood quality aren't considered, either. But the site is still helpful in determining the ability to do things without a car.
I looked at a variety of houses on Houzz to determine their respective scores. All of them are ones for which I could determine the exact address or at least the block on which they are situated. Neighborhood scores are possible, but I noticed that scores can vary by plus or minus 10 points within a neighborhood. So they should be taken with a grain of salt.
To get the ball rolling, I'll offer up the scores for where I grew up and where I live now. I grew up in an old suburb of Chicago with a gridded layout as well as proximity to the commuter trains and "village green." It scores 69 (Somewhat Walkable), but newer suburbs definitely score lower, as they are developed based on proximity to freeways, not trains. Now I live in Astoria, Queens, a 20-minute train ride from midtown Manhattan. My address scores 88 (Very Walkable), but other parts of the neighborhood closer to the shopping streets venture into Walker's Paradise.
Beverly Glen, Los Angeles
Walk Score: 34
Car-Dependent
It's no surprise that L.A. is a very car-dependent city, though many people may not know that its early, thorough streetcar network enabled the sprawl now served by freeways. These wide rights of way cut up the city, so even short trips require circuitous travel by car. That situation is also the result of the landscape, particularly the hills overlooking the city's sprawl. The appeal of this house in the Hollywood Hills is clear, but walks are probably limited to exercise.
Walk Score: 34
Car-Dependent
It's no surprise that L.A. is a very car-dependent city, though many people may not know that its early, thorough streetcar network enabled the sprawl now served by freeways. These wide rights of way cut up the city, so even short trips require circuitous travel by car. That situation is also the result of the landscape, particularly the hills overlooking the city's sprawl. The appeal of this house in the Hollywood Hills is clear, but walks are probably limited to exercise.
Throggs Neck, Bronx, New York
Walk Score: 37
Car-Dependent
It may be a surprise that a house in New York City would score just slightly above the previous example. This house, next to the Throggs Neck Bridge in the Bronx, is just about as secluded as you can get in NYC while still being in the city limits. This means you must drive even to reach public transportation, usually the best means of getting about the city.
Walk Score: 37
Car-Dependent
It may be a surprise that a house in New York City would score just slightly above the previous example. This house, next to the Throggs Neck Bridge in the Bronx, is just about as secluded as you can get in NYC while still being in the city limits. This means you must drive even to reach public transportation, usually the best means of getting about the city.
Deering Center, Portland, Maine
Walk Score: 52
Somewhat Walkable
With this "in town" house, we venture out of the Car-Dependent and into the Somewhat Walkable realm. The architects attest to the proximity of schools, shopping and dining, but the house is tucked near a cemetery and a park, meaning the places to walk are not within a 360-degree circle of the location.
Walk Score: 52
Somewhat Walkable
With this "in town" house, we venture out of the Car-Dependent and into the Somewhat Walkable realm. The architects attest to the proximity of schools, shopping and dining, but the house is tucked near a cemetery and a park, meaning the places to walk are not within a 360-degree circle of the location.
Manhattan Beach, Los Angeles
Walk Score: 65
Somewhat Walkable
Elsewhere in Los Angeles, closer to the Pacific, the score is about twice as high as in the Hollywood Hills. This house illustrates one trait (but not a necessary one) of walkability: density.
Walk Score: 65
Somewhat Walkable
Elsewhere in Los Angeles, closer to the Pacific, the score is about twice as high as in the Hollywood Hills. This house illustrates one trait (but not a necessary one) of walkability: density.
Brentwood, Austin, Texas
Walk Score: 65
Somewhat Walkable
When we compare this house in Austin to the previous one in L.A., the fact that they have the same score may be surprising. One is basically a rowhouse, and one is a freestanding house on a generous lot. Each owes its relatively high score to a gridded network with a mix of uses within an easy walk. This Austin house, it should be pointed out, is located in the middle of a short block, which would normally be empty or used for a garage. It is a way of infilling the suburbs to add more density while reducing sprawl, one piece at a time.
Walk Score: 65
Somewhat Walkable
When we compare this house in Austin to the previous one in L.A., the fact that they have the same score may be surprising. One is basically a rowhouse, and one is a freestanding house on a generous lot. Each owes its relatively high score to a gridded network with a mix of uses within an easy walk. This Austin house, it should be pointed out, is located in the middle of a short block, which would normally be empty or used for a garage. It is a way of infilling the suburbs to add more density while reducing sprawl, one piece at a time.
South Main, Buena Vista, Colorado
Walk Score: 66
Somewhat Walkable
An ideabook focused on walkability needs to include a new urbanism development. South Main occupies a 41-acre area between the town of Buena Vista and the Arkansas River. The developers envisioned a "walkable, pedestrian-friendly community" with "tree-lined streets, mixed-use residences, green building and a conscientious land-use design." The result clearly has more density than a typical suburban area but not enough to reach Very Walkable status.
Walk Score: 66
Somewhat Walkable
An ideabook focused on walkability needs to include a new urbanism development. South Main occupies a 41-acre area between the town of Buena Vista and the Arkansas River. The developers envisioned a "walkable, pedestrian-friendly community" with "tree-lined streets, mixed-use residences, green building and a conscientious land-use design." The result clearly has more density than a typical suburban area but not enough to reach Very Walkable status.
Hermosa Beach, Los Angeles
Walk Score: 71
Very Walkable
Near Manhattan Beach sits Hermosa Beach, a compact community that includes a "boardwalk" (The Strand, actually paved and not made of wood boards) on the Pacific. Here we enter the next realm, Very Walkable. This house benefits from proximity to Pier A Avenue, which runs perpendicular to The Strand and is where most of the community's commercial offerings are located.
Walk Score: 71
Very Walkable
Near Manhattan Beach sits Hermosa Beach, a compact community that includes a "boardwalk" (The Strand, actually paved and not made of wood boards) on the Pacific. Here we enter the next realm, Very Walkable. This house benefits from proximity to Pier A Avenue, which runs perpendicular to The Strand and is where most of the community's commercial offerings are located.
Windsor Road, Austin, Texas
Walk Score: 72
Very Walkable
This multifamily project is located near the University of Texas at Austin and, more immediately, near a boulevard with lots of commercial amenities. This means the project is still fairly suburban, with lots of trees on a large lot, but I can't help but wonder how walkable the boulevard is, or if it's geared more to cars than pedestrians.
Walk Score: 72
Very Walkable
This multifamily project is located near the University of Texas at Austin and, more immediately, near a boulevard with lots of commercial amenities. This means the project is still fairly suburban, with lots of trees on a large lot, but I can't help but wonder how walkable the boulevard is, or if it's geared more to cars than pedestrians.
Kensington, Philadelphia
Walk Score: 74
Very Walkable
This LEED Platinum project lies north of Philadelphia's Center City district, yet is only a couple of blocks from a metro line that links the residents to much of the city. Walk Score does offer a Transit Score as well, but it is limited to cities whose data is open source, if they have public transit to begin with. This means that Transit Scores are not available most of the time. Regardless, proximity to trains and buses is just as important as walkability for those looking to live somewhere with little to no car usage.
Walk Score: 74
Very Walkable
This LEED Platinum project lies north of Philadelphia's Center City district, yet is only a couple of blocks from a metro line that links the residents to much of the city. Walk Score does offer a Transit Score as well, but it is limited to cities whose data is open source, if they have public transit to begin with. This means that Transit Scores are not available most of the time. Regardless, proximity to trains and buses is just as important as walkability for those looking to live somewhere with little to no car usage.
Cole Valley, San Francisco
Walk Score: 74
Very Walkable
San Francisco is a hilly but still very walkable city, especially taking public transportation into account. This house is located near Golden Gate Park, one of the city's best amenities.
Walk Score: 74
Very Walkable
San Francisco is a hilly but still very walkable city, especially taking public transportation into account. This house is located near Golden Gate Park, one of the city's best amenities.
Westover Village, Arlington, Virginia
Walk Score: 75
Very Walkable
Designed by the same architect as the Portland, Maine, house shown previously, this "metro green" residence is west of downtown Arlington. The house is very close to the core of Westover, which is home to lots of commercial amenities.
Walk Score: 75
Very Walkable
Designed by the same architect as the Portland, Maine, house shown previously, this "metro green" residence is west of downtown Arlington. The house is very close to the core of Westover, which is home to lots of commercial amenities.
Lincoln Park, Chicago
Walk Score: 80
Very Walkable
Having lived in Lincoln Park (carless, as is still the case in Astoria) for a number of years, I can attest to the area's walkability. This house is located a little bit farther from commercial strips than other parts of Lincoln Park, but it is closer to the elevated train that connects the neighborhood to the Loop and other parts of the city.
Walk Score: 80
Very Walkable
Having lived in Lincoln Park (carless, as is still the case in Astoria) for a number of years, I can attest to the area's walkability. This house is located a little bit farther from commercial strips than other parts of Lincoln Park, but it is closer to the elevated train that connects the neighborhood to the Loop and other parts of the city.
Sawtelle, Los Angeles
Walk Score: 89
Very Walkable
So where must one go in L.A. to attain Very Walkable status? In this case, it's West Los Angeles, which is between Beverly Hills on the east and Santa Monica on the west. It is a fairly dense and built-up area with a number of commercial strips.
Walk Score: 89
Very Walkable
So where must one go in L.A. to attain Very Walkable status? In this case, it's West Los Angeles, which is between Beverly Hills on the east and Santa Monica on the west. It is a fairly dense and built-up area with a number of commercial strips.
Potrero Hill, San Francisco
Walk Score: 89
Very Walkable
Elsewhere in San Francisco, we see a higher number resulting from more density and an immediate mix of uses — a small grocery is next door to this house.
Walk Score: 89
Very Walkable
Elsewhere in San Francisco, we see a higher number resulting from more density and an immediate mix of uses — a small grocery is next door to this house.
Upper West Side, Manhattan, New York
Walk Score: 98
Walker's Paradise
This Upper West Side town house designed by workshop/apd finally gets us into the Walker's Paradise. It's no surprise that Manhattan is where it happens. This residence is located less than a block from Broadway and its commercial amenities. It's also about halfway between Riverside Park and Central Park, making it an ideal location for walking and other recreation.
Walk Score: 98
Walker's Paradise
This Upper West Side town house designed by workshop/apd finally gets us into the Walker's Paradise. It's no surprise that Manhattan is where it happens. This residence is located less than a block from Broadway and its commercial amenities. It's also about halfway between Riverside Park and Central Park, making it an ideal location for walking and other recreation.
Fort Greene, Brooklyn, New York
Walk Score: 98
Walker's Paradise
But other boroughs score just as high, most notably Brooklyn. Fort Greene is one of many neighborhoods in the borough that has been gentrified to a greater or lesser degree in recent decades. This house is a little bit of a trek from Prospect Park (Brooklyn's answer to Central Park, also designed by Frederick Law Olmsted), but it is very close to the neighborhood's own Fort Greene Park.
Walk Score: 98
Walker's Paradise
But other boroughs score just as high, most notably Brooklyn. Fort Greene is one of many neighborhoods in the borough that has been gentrified to a greater or lesser degree in recent decades. This house is a little bit of a trek from Prospect Park (Brooklyn's answer to Central Park, also designed by Frederick Law Olmsted), but it is very close to the neighborhood's own Fort Greene Park.
West Village, Manhattan, New York
Walk Score: 100
Walker's Paradise
The perfect Walk Score appears back in Manhattan, in the West Village and neighboring Greenwich Village. People who have visited the area definitely know that its walkability is the result of much more than proximity to shops, restaurants and such. It is also because the area is a beautiful urban place, with a mix of short blocks at odd angles, a small scale and mature trees. The area was home to writer Jane Jacobs and inspired her still influential Death and Life of Great American Cities. The social diversity has changed in the 50 years since she wrote it, but the physical character has been staunchly preserved, making the neighborhood a delight to walk in and, for those who can afford it, to live in.
More:
A New Community Flourishes in Rhode Island
Project Tour: New Urbanism in Colorado
Tour Sarah Susanka's Newest Right-Sized House
Walk Score: 100
Walker's Paradise
The perfect Walk Score appears back in Manhattan, in the West Village and neighboring Greenwich Village. People who have visited the area definitely know that its walkability is the result of much more than proximity to shops, restaurants and such. It is also because the area is a beautiful urban place, with a mix of short blocks at odd angles, a small scale and mature trees. The area was home to writer Jane Jacobs and inspired her still influential Death and Life of Great American Cities. The social diversity has changed in the 50 years since she wrote it, but the physical character has been staunchly preserved, making the neighborhood a delight to walk in and, for those who can afford it, to live in.
More:
A New Community Flourishes in Rhode Island
Project Tour: New Urbanism in Colorado
Tour Sarah Susanka's Newest Right-Sized House
Walk Score: 3
Car-Dependent
Golf course developments are easily the most car-dependent parts of suburbia. This house on a large lot benefits from the controlled scenery of the course, but one must drive beyond the confines of the development to do anything besides play golf.