site we’re psyched about: walkscore.com
The house we’re renting seems to have everything: mid-century modern style, a big yard for our dog, and a view of Lake Washington. But it’s missing something crucial: somewhere to walk! We’re three miles down a very busy street from the closest store. So now that we’re looking to buy our very first Seattle house, I was psyched when a friend pointed me to Walk Score. So simple, and so brilliant: Type in a full address, see it on a map in relation to its surroundings, and get a score on how many businesses, schools, and parks are within walking distance. I’m thrilled to report that all three of the houses we’re currently eyeing scored a 70 or above! And our current house? A lousy 14! I knew I was on to something. - Mary T.
September 6th, 2007 at 6:53 am
Love that Walk Score site! I’m right in the middle at 50.
September 6th, 2007 at 8:51 am
You want to make sure you see the area in person first, though.
My address scores high on Walk Score, but although there are technically shops near my home, the walk itself would be dreadful.
And the shops aren’t very accessible to pedestrians, as they are located in strip malls on a very busy roadway. Everything is geared for arrival via automobile, not the Ten Toe Transit.
It’s a nifty idea, but do try to see the area in person!
September 6th, 2007 at 9:13 am
I love my neighborhood. It scored a 97!
September 6th, 2007 at 10:35 am
You’re right, DJ — the site points that out in its “how it works” and “how it doesn’t work” sections. For looking for a new house, however, which obviously I’ve seen in person, it’s tremendously helpful to see just how close each one is in relation to the shops and bars (of course, bars!) we drove by.
September 7th, 2007 at 10:41 am
[...] is a pretty neat site. Found it over at shelterrific. What’s your walkscore? Mine is 49, so about average. Most of the places in my ‘hood [...]
September 11th, 2007 at 10:06 am
I got a score of 78, but I think my neighborhood actually deserves higher. There are a lot of stores that are in the radius that they don’t have on there.
September 25th, 2007 at 5:09 pm
Thank you so much for the link…I just moved into Chicago and don’t know a thing about the neighborhood I’m about to move into. Plugged the address in, and it’s a 95! Thank goodness!
October 30th, 2007 at 6:58 am
[...] thought we found an innovation when we wrote about a site that rated neighborhoods by their walk-around-the-block appeal. Well, that’s been one-upped, in a major way with rottenneighbor.com. Exactly how it sounds, [...]