When living in an urban area like Boston, the walkability of the neighborhood is probably a big factor in determining how happy you are. A walkable neighborhood makes it easier to reach public transportation, schools, shopping, and parks without hopping in the car and worrying about traffic and parking. If you’re interested in Boston condos for sale, here are five things that can boost the walkability rating of the downtown San Diego districts.
1. Walking Distance to Amenities
The primary way to score a neighborhood’s walkability is by analyzing walking paths to nearby amenities like restaurants, parks, shopping, and public spaces. A neighborhood earns points based on how easy it is to walk to amenities in every category. The area earns the most points if it has amenities within a 5-minute walk, but it earns no points if you need to walk at least 30 minutes, which is estimated by a distance of 1 mile. For example, Beacon Hill has a high walkability score for these reasons.
2. Road Metrics
It isn’t enough to be close to amenities. It also needs to be easy to reach them. A neighborhood’s walkability score considers important road metrics like the length of blocks in the area, intersection density, and whether there are sidewalks to determine how easy and pleasant it is to walk in the community. Walking across a large parking lot feels a lot longer than walking on a sidewalk lined with shops and bars. A neighborhood with a pedestrian-friendly layout rather than a design made primarily for drivers will be considered more walkable. Once again, this is why Beacon Hill scores above other Boston neighborhoods.
3. Population Density
The higher the population density, the higher a neighborhood tends to rank in terms of walkability. Suburbs are usually not pedestrian friendly because there is very little diversity of land use. Homes may stretch for several miles without businesses and parks. Downtown Boston condos tend to be the most densely populated with condo developments and a high amount of mixed-use real estate. With a denser population also comes traffic congestion, which makes it more convenient to walk, one example would be Boston Midtown area.
4. Distance to Public Transportation
When public transit stops aren’t within walking distance, they aren’t used very often. A neighborhood will earn the highest walkability score when it supports an easy car-free lifestyle, which means public transportation should be accessible and within a quarter-mile to a half-mile.
5. Crime Ratings
The ability to walk to shopping and dining opportunities doesn’t mean much if the neighborhood isn’t very safe. There is a good argument that a walkable neighborhood reduces crime with more eyes on the street and a mass of people. Still, when moving to a new neighborhood, its crime rate should be considered alongside its walkability. A community’s Crime Grade can help you understand your personal risk of being a victim of crime in the area compared to citywide rates.
Whether you’re interested in condos in Beacon Hill or high rise condos in Boston’s Midtown offers great potential for walkability in the downtown areas. Get in touch with us to begin your search for your dream Boston condo
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