In a nice change from our frequent positioning near the bottom of a list, a Brookings Institution report ranks:
the Washington region first among the country’s major metropolitan areas in the number of “walkable places” per capita, thanks to changes in just the past 15 years.
Being able to walk for most of my daily activities is one of the things I love most about living here, and I wouldn’t trade it for four bedrooms and a three car garage in a million years (which is the approximate amount of time I’d have to spend in traffic, if I did). I managed to pull this same situation off near the end of my time in Atlanta, too, so it’s not something that’s reserved to old East Coast cities and San Francisco. Here’s the top 10:
- Washington
- Boston
- San Francisco
- Denver
- Portland
- Seattle
- Chicago
- Miami
- Pittsburgh
- New York
I should note that I think the methodology is a little suspect (I mean, Atlanta is #15 on the list . . .), so don’t go wild with the DC v. NYC bit. I’m pretty happy to see Arlington get a nod for the work its done, though:
Good planning also helped in the Washington region, particularly in Arlington, Leinberger said.
When the Metro was being built, county officials lobbied to put their portion underground along a central commercial road, rather than above ground and along the interstate. The county then loosened zoning regulations around each Metro stop, a policy that gave rise to “urban villages” such as Ballston.
[ . . . ]
Walking among Ballston’s tall buildings recently, Leinberger praised the mix of commercial and residential spaces, the picturesque courtyards, and the use of underground parking instead of surface lots.
Of course, Arlington’s not perfect:
The one big mistake is Ballston Commons Mall, a suburban-style mall that has failed to attract many national retailers, Leinberger said.
On the upside, the mall does include a fantastic ice-skating facility, where you can (sometimes) go watch the Capitols practice or take to the ice yourself. And really, Ballston is much much better than it used to be.
In any event, it’s an interesting assessment of the progress in planning and development that many American cities are making. Report here.
Peej
I have to save this for my parents. As I told you before, out of all the U.S. cities my sister and I have lived in (and therefore, them, by proxy) my family loves D.C. the best.
Once again, I am reminded of how miserable I am, living where we do, deep down. I was never one for ultimatums in a relationship–figured if you’re at that stage, you’re really not in a relationship that’s meaningful, anymore–but I am seriously thinking of delivering one to L. and getting us out of suburbia hell. Especially before the kid starts school. I walked everywhere I needed to go as a kid, no matter where I lived, growing up (and, for the record, so did L.) I want the kid to have that, too.
Sigh. Goddamn, I miss living in a real city.
Beth
It’s not just big cities, though, is it? It seems like you can find this in small cities, as well, if you choose your neighborhood wisely. Certainly the part of Sacramento where I live is vastly more walkable than Los Angeles, to compare one tiny city to one big city.
(Although I walked everywhere in LA, but I was in an area that catered to students.)
Anyway, just thinking of a possible compromise for you and L., Peej — if he has big city aversion, maybe you could find a small city that makes him happy but gives you your urban walkability.
MB
True, Beth, I don’t think you need to hit a bit city to live in a walkable area. But I do think that you’re going to find that you’d prefer a choice of walkable areas in one city, instead of being stuck in one. And in the smaller cities, those walkable areas are premium real estate, I’d bet.
Peej’s solution, of course, is to move to DC. Buy a pied-a-terre in West End or Gallery Place, and a cabin out in the Shenandoah Mountains @ Front Royal. Probably end up costing what the house does now. Problem solved!
guppy
Atlanta is #15? I hereby don’t trust that survey.
Oberlin is entirely walkable, though, for people who have jobs here.
Peej
I agree, MB and Beth, that smaller cities can fit the bill, as well, especially where L. is concerned. (He really is not fond of crowds, unlike me–I love streets teeming with pedestrians and drivers.)
And, MB, the prices for West End and Gallery Place are anywhere between three to five times more than what our house is worth in this market (ours is a quirky house whose original owner was a single guy whose goal apparently was to make the place “orgy-friendly” as the neighbors told us! So, lots of wide open spaces and funky fireplace placements!)
If the dollar wasn’t so weak now, I’d seriously consider moving to Hull (England), or even North Ferriby. L. is actually amenable to a move overseas versus a move in-state (I wish I knew what trauma he suffered at the hands of which city in the U.S.!)
Beth
“And in the smaller cities, those walkable areas are premium real estate, I’d bet.”
Oh, don’t be silly. Why, since the housing crash, you can buy an 800-square-foot bungalow here for well under $350K!
(I am aware that there are places where that would truly be a bargain. But my own personal housing rule is that if you are paying more than $400/square foot, you need to be surrounded by either a major metropolis or an ocean. I realize that this makes me cheap and unrealistic, but that is my rule.)
ava
OK, I would like it all:
I seek a walkable city that has these things to offer:
highest amount of sun zone in the US or very close to highest amt.
truly, WALKABLE; that is, I can get around easy without a car, with a bike
seasons change, as in the midwest
WARM year-round, so I can swim outside year-round…
a state in which they are advanced in their acceptance of and work FOR organically grown agriculture, and raw milk products…no laws ag. them I mean…
I was originally pondering NM, but it appears that it gets pretty cold in the winter…
Flagstaff AZ – too cold in winter, lots of sun…
See, the problems?
What of Athens, GA or
even Atlanta? are these WALKABLES???
for any real guru on all of this, please reply