#walkablity

NYC Open Streets - Slate | Kohn Pedersen Fox Architects

A summary of the NUFFTalks Presentations at Helms Design Center

Last night we heard a series of presentations about LA’s dynamic urban landscape.  The topics were presented by local people passionate about their community and working hard to bring about positive change to their neighborhood.

These talks were watch by an audience of filmmakers who then selected a presenter and topic to make a film about. The films have to be completed by next Saturday at…

One of the most common requests I get from buyers is, "I want to be in a neighborhood where I can easily walk to shops and restaurants".  People want to be able to step outside their front door and go for a latte, walk to the gym, pick up groceries, drop off dry cleaning. Especially with gas prices the way they are, being able to walk to where you want to go has become even more important.

This is why you will often see real estate agents quote a "Walk Score" for their listing, especially if it's in a very walkable neighborhood. We want to tout that feature so buyers understand that it is in close proximity to those amenities that are important to them.

A survey that just came out ranks our beloved city as Number 2 in the country (behind NYC) on the walk score scale. San Francisco has an overall Walk Score of 84.9. But there are neighborhoods that have a 100% walkability score.

"San Francisco has 31 neighborhoods we refer to as walker's paradise with scores of 90 or higher," said Josh Herst, Walk Score CEO.

Herst claims these areas have some of the highest walk score:

-Chinatown -Financial District -Haight-Ashbury -North Beach -Pacific Heights -Telegraph Hill -Nob Hill

From my own experience, I would add these neighborhoods to the list:

-the Mission -Castro -Noe Valley -Hayes Valley

According to the map, these areas have the lowest ranking scores:

-Lake Merced -The Presidio -Twin Peaks -Along the Great Highway -McLaren Park -outer edges of Bayview/Hunter's Point

So if walking to cafes, restaurants, public transportation, schools, and stores is important to you, be sure to check out the property's Walk Score before you buy.