Vickie Munch

Living In a Walkable Neighborhood

Vickie Munch, Guest Blogger, No Phone Number Available

Friday, January 4, 2019 at 11:48 a.m.

Living In a Walkable Neighborhood

The walkable neighborhood concept is personal for me. Three years ago I downsized from a home at the city limits into a condo downtown. The change meant giving up our thirsty landscaping and put an end to heating and maintaining underutilized spaces. Moving was the catalyst for the joyful and liberating experience of living with less “stuff.”

Imagine the satisfaction of walking to workouts instead of driving to the gym. Walkers and cyclists see things that go entirely unnoticed from a car, and instead of sitting in traffic, one can observe the wildlife and meet people along the way! Good rain gear, waterproof walking boots, ice grippers and reflective clothing make this doable year-round regardless of weather conditions.

Since leaving the suburbs, the distance I can easily walk continues to grow and my personal car usage has probably been reduced by more than 75%. Servicing all areas of the city as a residential Realtor, this central location has also reduced business driving.

In the continuing journey, living more sustainably has now become an entirely addictive pursuit and I want to discover more about what others are doing in advancing goals for both the community and planet.

Here are some tips for those interested in living in a walkable neighborhood.

  • Check the Walk Score. Walk Scores give a general idea of what to expect of a specific address. Scores from 1 – 100 are distance based from amenities; the closer they are and greater the choices, the higher the score for a specific address.
  • Envision the neighborhood in all seasons. Although it’s often more scenic, hilly terrain will be less safe for walking during winter.
  • See if the neighborhood offers most amenities that are important in your daily life. Look for an unbroken chain of adequately illuminated sidewalks beyond the neighborhood for safe access to amenities.
  • Check to see if you’ll be living near public transit; the easier it is to walk and bike in a neighborhood, the more likely the distance and frequency of your driving will be reduced.

About The Author

Vickie Munch has been a Spokane Realtor for 40 years, and has recently taken on a leadership role with the Riverside Neighborhood Council. She loves living downtown!

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