Walkable communities wanted should be posted in neighborhoods everywhere.

A 2017 National Community and Transportation Preference Survey verified that millennials (18-34 age group)  prefer walking to driving by 12%.  And millennials also prefer living in attached housing located within walking distance of shops and restaurants.  Key points are short commutes and access to good public transportation. 

Millenials aren’t the only ones looking for walkability — it turns out baby boomers (51-69 age group) want walkability in their neighborhoods as well.   Retired homeowners also want easy access to shopping, medical and restaurants.  And considering many boomers grew up in neighborhoods where riding a bike or walking to get around was normal-it’s no surprise they are looking for easy access neighborhoods.

Buyers don’t just buy homes, they buy neighborhoods and a trend where Gen X, Millenials and Boomers are seeking to same amenities can impact current areas as well as the development of new neighborhoods around Cincinnati.

Survey Highlights:

• Americans prefer walkable communities more so than they have in the past.
• 48% of respondents reported that they would prefer to live in communities containing houses with small yards but within an easy walking distance of the community’s amenities, as opposed to living in communities with houses that have large yards, but they have to drive to all amenities.
• 60% of adults surveyed live in detached, single-family homes, 25% of those respondents said they would rather live in an attached home and have greater walkability.
• Respondents’ opinions on transportation priorities for the government- 83% indicated maintaining and repairing roads and bridges should be a high priority.
•  Expanding roads to help alleviate or reduce congestion as the next highest priority, at 60%
• While consumers’ top two concerns are related to driving, over half of survey participants stated that expanding public transit and providing convenient alternatives to driving should also be high priorities.

No wonder local governments and developers are struggling to keep up with public demands.  We want convenience, access and of course, lower costs.  

Walkable Communities

“Walkable Communities Wanted” isn’t just a buzzword.  Today’s buyers are looking for more than just a home to live in- they want to enjoy walking out the door and running errands without driving 5 miles.  We’re not there yet-but many of the newer and reviving neighborhoods around Cincinnati already have the message.