Residential Real Estate News
Americans Prefer Walkable Communities
Based on a new survey by the National Association of Realtors, Americans living in walkable communities report a higher quality of life.
NAR's 2023 Community & Transportation Preferences Survey is a national poll taken every three years to gauge people's partialities regarding their home's location or potential location as well as community attributes they find desirable.
"With COVID in our rearview mirror, this study shows that a substantial demand for walkability persists for Americans of all ages," said NAR President Kenny Parcell. "NAR has conducted community preference surveys for over 20 years, providing Realtors and their communities with valuable information on shifting American lifestyles and migration trends. To help local communities and Realtor® associations improve the places they live, NAR generates this survey and makes the results available to all."
Noteworthy findings of NAR's survey
- 79% said being within an easy walk of other places and things, such as shops and parks, is very/somewhat important. 78% of those indicated that they would be willing to pay more to live in a walkable community.
- 85% said sidewalks and places to walk are very/somewhat important.
- 65% said having public transport nearby is very/somewhat important.
- 56% said they would prefer a house with a small yard and be able to walk to places vs. 44% who would prefer a large yard and would need to drive to most places.
- 53% would prefer an attached dwelling (own or rent a townhouse/condo/apartment) and be able to walk to shops, restaurants, and a short commute to work vs. 47% who would prefer a single-family home (own or rent) and have to drive to shops, restaurants and a longer commute.
