Sidewalks Are Coming to Your Neighborhood

In the article Walking Into the Future, Brad Broberg looks at how two generations want the same lifestyle. This lifestyle is one of walkability, hence, the 20-minute good life I spoke of previously. In a 2008 housing study, 75% of participants said they wanted the traditional, i.e. walkable, neighborhood.

CEO's for Cities sited in 13 out of 15 markets nationwide, home values and high levels of walkability had a direct correlation. The next time you're downtown, take a look around. City living is making a comeback.

People want to walk or bike and not use their cars. The Grandin Area is a prime example of this in Big Lick. Downtown Roanoke, downtown Salem, and the Williamson Road areas are also now walkable with many, if not all, of the amenities people desire.

Young Professionals and Empty Nester's are asking and shopping for, with their dollars, walkability, homes with less square footage, and amenities close-by. Will localities change with this growing trend and rezone ordinances to allow mixed-use in our neighborhoods? Can our suburbs survive without change? Will local governments see the need for a variety of transportation options? Will our very own bus line add to or alter existing routes so that it doesn't take an hour to get to where you are going?

I will leave you with one final thought. A family living in the suburbs spends 25% of its income on its cars. In a walkable neighborhood, it spends nine percent. What better ways could you save, give, or spend 16% of your income?

As my friend Nikki says, Live, Love, Laugh, Share, and Pay It Forward.

Suzanne

Got Comfy Shoes?

Walkable towns promote shopping at locally owned stores, so 68% of your dollars stay in the community, according to a study.

Sunset Magazine October 2009

Would You Like Four Hours of Your Life Back?

Did you know?

Eliminating commuting by car would leave the average American with four extra hours a week?

Sunset Magazine October 2009

What Can You Do With 20-minutes?

Sunset Magazine featured an article in their October 2009 edition discussing a life where everything you need is within 20 minutes of your home with many of these places being within a five-minute walk, and if they aren't, they are close enough to bike to. This also means mass transit is within 20 minutes of your front door and strongly encourages you to use your car as a last resort.

Gerding Edlen is a real estate developer who came up with this concept of '20-minute living' and is described as being the nation's leader in green building development. He strives for everything being within a 20-minute walk, but in some cases, 20-minutes by transit is more reasonable.

His developments include open spaces, grocery stores, offices, libraries, events, and schools all within a central area so that people may spend less time going to and fro, and more time with their friends and family, pursuing their leisure activities, and engaging in more meaningful social experiences or moments with Mother Nature.

Wouldn't it be nice to be five minutes from a bike path, playground, dog park, or a local grocer?

Do you currently live the 20-minute good life?
If so, would you be willing to tell me where you live, how you like it, and the pro's and con's?

Until next time,
As my friend Nikki says: Live, love, laugh, share, and pay it forward
Suz