Americans Want Walkable Communities. Here’s Where to Find Them

Embracing walkable communities is becoming increasingly popular, with nearly three out of every four Americans prefer a walkable lifestyle. Whether because of added physical activity or the shorter commute to work, walkable communities provide some unique benefits where single-family neighborhoods ultimately fall short.

Americans are choosing places with necessities close by

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) released a survey in 2023 showing that 79% of Americans preferred to live in areas that are an easy walk from grocery stores, pharmacies, parks, schools, and more.

And they’re willing to pay for them. According to Bloomberg, residents with access to walkable areas and public transit pay up to 34% more price per square foot to purchase homes and 41% more for rental units.

In particular, the Gen Z and Millennial generations are inclined to pay more in rent or price per square foot if it means they will have access to local amenities and a shorter commute to work.

DeSource: fining a desirable walkable community

A walkable community gives its residents direct access to nearby shops, restaurants, entertainment, and more, all without using a car. These “micro-cities” are often supported by functional public transportation that uses buses, subways, and bike lanes to help people move around. The communities expand these systems past the urban core for easier access to suburban neighborhoods.

Because everything they need for work, play, and living is so close, residents in these communities find they are overall more satisfied with their quality of life.

Residents often exchange convenience for denser housing. Living in a walkable neighborhood means foregoing a large backyard and settling for a property with a balcony or a small garden. Many live in apartments, condos, or townhomes.

But these residents don’t mind. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) survey found that 53% of participants preferred to live closer to their place of work, even if that meant living in smaller housing. This was especially apparent in the demographic that is under the age of 50.

Many new communities in development are purposefully designed as mixed-use and include perks to keep residents close to home. That’s why mixed-use properties with residencies now have dense urban cores lined with restaurants, bars, shopping, and grocers.

Health benefits included

An additional perk to living in a walkable community is the health benefits. Residents who walk to work, a friend’s house, or even to run errands reap the benefits of maintaining a healthier weight and body fat levels, lower stress levels, and decreased chances of heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure.

Plus, when fewer cars are on the street, fatal car accidents involving pedestrian traffic are significantly reduced.

Economic benefits of walkable communities

An analysis from the University of Wisconsin–Madison found that people who live in walkable communities embrace the economic benefits of living there. Residents commonly realize savings on commuting costs, like car payments, insurance, registration fees, gas, and tolls. Additionally, walkable communities tend to have:

• Increased housing values
• More networking and support of local businesses
• Reduced taxes for individuals and businesses
• More tourism
• Increased economic development

Cities save on infrastructure expenses

People want to see improvements made to alternative modes of transportation like bridges, sidewalks, public transit, bike lanes, and rail. Residents in walkable communities value these improvements over roadway expansion and highway construction.

Pedestrian-oriented areas are more inclined to see a reduction in taxpayer spending on maintenance and road development projects.

Plus, neighborhoods with wide, well-maintained sidewalks allow for faster movement per capita than cars moving through a single lane. This is one of the reasons Charlotte, NC, is adding more bike lanes and commuter rail lines over the next two decades. It hopes to reduce single-person car traffic by 25%.

Popular walkable communities

Despite past COVID lockdowns and increasing rental rates, the demand for units located in walkable cities remains high in the US. Walk Score identified some of the most popular walkable metropolitan areas as:

• San Francisco
• New York
• Boston
• Chicago
• Washington, DC
• Miami
• Oakland
• Philadelphia

Smaller walkable communities have become popular

Walkable communities are not just large metropolitan cities like New York or Washington, DC; they include smaller cities and towns that have managed to incorporate commercial and residential property within the streets through mixed-use construction, townhomes, and condominiums.

Even in smaller communities, residents benefit from these amenities. PBS identified 25 walkable cities and towns across the United States from Chattanooga, TN, to Clayton, CA, that have planned for parks, things to do, residences, and commercial property within the same area and accessible without needing a car.

Many cities are investing in or creating walkable districts. Capital improvement projects, especially in the South, bring accessibility and amenities to locals.

A perfect example is the multi-phase development known as the FSU College Town in Tallahassee, Florida. This community begins on South Woodward Avenue to the east of Railroad Avenue. As a mixed-use development, it grants locals access to bars, shopping, a theater, and easy access to the university and downtown areas.

Walkable communities come with an abundance of benefits

Walkable communities are here to stay and are expected to grow because they provide access and other benefits in the same package. To learn more about available real estate in walkable communities near you, search available properties online or work with a local real estate professional.