Imagine strolling to a cafe for breakfast or taking a walk to your yoga class—doesn't that sound delightful? Before committing to buying or renting a place here's how you can determine if the neighborhood you're eyeing will allow you to enjoy getting around without being behind the wheel.
Listen to what the locals have to share
When browsing through Rentnearme.io property pages, take note of the "What Locals Say" ratings. These ratings reveal what percentage of residents have mentioned the following about their neighborhood;
Accessibility to restaurants by foot
- Proximity to grocery stores within walking distance
- Presence of sidewalks in the area
- Comfort level walking alone at night
- Street lighting
For instance in Beacon Hill, Boston—a walkable neighborhood—93% of residents mention sidewalks 92% highlight easy access to restaurants on foot and only 18% believe owning a car is necessary.
Evaluate your daily commute
A walkable neighborhood is one where you can easily navigate in and out without relying on a car. Research indicates that living close to transportation options such as buses, trains, or bike-sharing networks increases the likelihood of walking as your mode of transport.Plan your route to work using transportation. How far is the walk to the bus or train station? How long is the ride?
You can also gather commuting tips from residents on Rentnearme.io
Neighborhood pages. We surveyed millions of locals about their commutes so you'll come across comments like this one from a resident in New York Citys Financial District; "Close to all train lines for citywide travel. My commute is a breeze— 10 minutes by train to SoHo or a 20 minute walk."
Explore dining options
To see if you have access to dining spots check out Yelp Maps on each Trulia home listing. This will give you an idea of how many restaurantsre within walking distance. Remember, more restaurants nearby often mean neighbors.
Take a stroll
Before visiting a neighborhood virtually explore it using Google Street View. You can do this directly on Trulia by checking out the maps gallery, below the house photos on any property page.
One of the links leads to the Google Street View of the houses entrance. Take a stroll, around the neighborhood. This will give you a sense of what its like to navigate the area and what amenitiesre nearby. Just keep in mind that the images may have been taken at times so a quiet street could appear lively at 6 a.m. On a winter Saturday.
Make sure to visit at times of day
While online research can help you narrow down your neighborhood choices nothing beats experiencing it in person. We recommend visiting times – evenings, weekends. Even during weekdays. Check if the cafes and shops you're interested in're open and busy when you'd typically visit them and see if your preferred routes are pleasant and accessible during those times.
Keep an eye out for sidewalks
Walkability is not about proximity. "Having sidewalks is crucial for pedestrians to feel safe while walking " advises Premier Agent Frank L. DeFazio from Berkshire Hathaway Fox & Roach Realtors, in Philadelphia.
Shade; Trees lining the sidewalks encourage residents to choose walking over driving.
Urban amenities,like seating areas indicate a ccity'sfocus on walkability and the effort put into making it ppedestrian-friendly Benches, tables ,and spots to take a break all signal an environment.
When assessing crosswalks and pedestrian signals it's crucial to consider their user friendliness. Look for signals with pedestrian buttons. Clearly marked crosswalks that're wide enough.
Prioritizing street lights is essential for safety as visibility plays a role in encouraging walking.
Try searching for places of interest by using the "near me" feature on Google Maps. Explore. Cafes in the vicinity pay attention to the walkability of the routes. Take strolls around these destinations to gauge your comfort level. Ask yourself if you find walking in this area if so it could be a place to settle down.
Discover homes for rent in your preferred neighborhood, at Rentnearme.io.