Having your everyday destinations within walking distance from your home is very important to a lot of people. It will save you time and money and make your daily tasks much simpler. Being able to walk around the block to grab a coffee or pick up some groceries is ideal, so here are a few ways you can find a “walkable” neighborhood before you buy or rent.
No one knows a neighborhood better than the people who live there! An easy way to see what locals have to say about a neighborhood is to visit Trulia and look at each Neighborhood page. The locals’ ratings will tell you everything about if the neighborhood is walkable or not. It will say if it is walkable to restaurants and grocery stores, if there are sidewalks, if people would walk alone at night, if the streets are well-lit, and if a car is needed.
Another thing to look for in your neighborhood is to see if it is within walking distance from your work or public transportation to get to your work. Do some research on bus, train, and walking routes. Using one of these everyday to get to and from work will save you lots of money.
Another way to find out if your neighborhood is walkable is to do a “near me” search. If you are in the neighborhood, search Google Maps for “coffee near me” or “restaurants near me.” You will be able to determine whether or not the walks are reasonable and if there are pedestrian-friendly routes.
There are signs everywhere that will indicate if the neighborhood is “walkable.” Look for wide, accessible sidewalks, street furniture (benches, picnic tables, etc.), crosswalks, pedestrian signs, and street lights. These all suggest that the neighborhood encourages locals to choose walking over driving and that it is convenient to walk around.
At Copper Hill, we offer many listings in walkable, desirable neighborhoods all over the City of Philadelphia. Some include Bella Vista, Fishtown, Graduate Hospital, Northern Liberties, Old City, Pennsport, Point Breeze, Queen Village, Rittenhouse Square, Society Hill, and Washington Square West. Check out our Neighborhoods page for more information on these neighborhoods.