What are the benefits of living in a walkable neighbourhood?
There are multiple considerations when buying a home, but one especially important factor is an area’s walkability. According to Statistics Canada, the walkability of an area can be assessed based on how well it promotes walking. Factors to consider include proximity to places of interest (like shops, services or schools), street connectivity (walkable route options) and residential density (number of people to support local businesses).
There are a variety of financial, social and health-related benefits associated with living in a walkable neighbourhood</span></span>, but availability will vary based on your market. One of the biggest factors in terms of location will be whether you opt for urban or rural living. In more remote areas you may have access to lots of walking, but not necessarily the ability to walk to places of interest or meet others.
In booming provincial areas like Calgary or Edmonton, you may be more likely to find newly built communities where the infrastructure may still be in development. Whereas, if you’re buying in a busy urban centre, like Vancouver, most homes for sale offer some sort of walkability, however, you will likely pay a premium and you may have to sacrifice yard space or deal with limited parking.
If you are moving somewhere new, it can be especially helpful to find and research the most walkable neighbourhoods to help you meet people and become part of a community once you arrive. The best way to find an affordable home in a neighbourhood you like is to work with a real estate agent and research market trends for the area. But before you look, make sure you consider the many benefits of living in a walkable neighbourhood.
1. Convenience
Walking can make accessing community resources you may need, like stores, services, your work, parks or schools, easy. If your home is located within walking proximity of the destinations you need to go to regularly, then it can be a far more convenient way of getting around. And convenience is not just a matter of making your life easier, it can also be a valuable selling point further down the line. For example, a home located within walking distance of a good school could have a significant impact on the value of your home when you sell. You can use Fraser Institute School Rankings in your home search to find homes assigned to the best school districts.
2. Savings on transportation expenses
Beyond being completely free, walking also gives you additional savings on the amount you would otherwise be spending on alternative modes of transportation. If living in a walkable neighbourhood affords you the option of not having to buy your own vehicle, then the savings could be significant. The Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) has a useful driving costs calculator to help you understand the ongoing costs associated with owning and using a vehicle based on various criteria, including the province you’re in, the type of vehicle you own and your annual mileage. And that doesn’t account for the baseline cost of purchasing the vehicle, your license and registration fees and insurance.
Public transit can be a good alternative option if you need to go beyond where you would walk. It’s often far less costly than owning a vehicle, especially if you buy a monthly pass. When exploring walkable neighbourhoods, it may be worth researching the cost of public transit in the area that’s accessible by foot so that you have alternative options, if needed.
For occasional driving, there are also a number of car-share companies, which offer memberships and give you the option to access a vehicle for a far smaller monthly fee than the ongoing costs of ownership.
3. Improved fitness
According to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS), walking regularly is a low-impact, whole-body physical activity that can greatly improve your cardiorespiratory fitness and function. By walking for at least 30 minutes, just a few times per week, you are less likely to fall or sustain an injury because your bones will be stronger and your joints and muscles more flexible. Regardless of your fitness level, the barriers to entry for taking up walking are low. There’s no need for any sort of specialist or expensive sports equipment, except perhaps a comfortable pair of shoes. For this reason, you may be more likely to stick to it, over another type of workout.
In fact, according to a health report by Statistics Canada, the walkability of your neighbourhood can have a direct impact on the amount of physical activity you do across your lifespan. An area’s walkability, including its proximity to places of interest, can directly correlate with increased physical activity.
4. Stress relief
Walking doesn’t just benefit your physical health, it’s good for your mind, too. According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, the mood-boosting benefits of getting active should not be underestimated. Even just 15 minutes of moderate exercise, like walking, can make a huge difference. That’s because exercising makes your brain release feel-good chemicals that reduce depression and anxiety and can help you to better manage your stress. Walking outside is especially beneficial, with some people reporting more vitality, enthusiasm and pleasure after an outdoor stroll. In addition, the CCOHS shared that people who walk are more likely to have a good night’s sleep, which is important for your overall well-being.
5. Eco-friendliness
From an environmental perspective, walking is the most eco-friendly way of getting around. According to an article by Canada’s Environmental Defense, “On the Road to Clean Transportation and Livable Communities”, one of the benefits of walkable neighbourhoods is reducing the greenhouse gas emissions caused by transportation in our cities. The transportation sector makes up a quarter of Canada’s total emissions, and one of the best ways of tackling it is by making it easier, safer and convenient to walk, cycle or take public transit.
6. Reduced traffic
Every time you opt to walk instead of take the car, you’re doing your part to reduce traffic and congestion on the road. Not only are fewer vehicles better for the environment, but having easy access to community resources on foot makes for a safer and quieter place to live.
7. Community development
Statistics Canada lists walkable communities as a key environmental indicator in its quality of life hub—and for good reason. The walkability of neighbourhoods often directly correlates with community development, including increased patronage of local businesses, better awareness of what is happening in the community and improved communication with other locals.
8. Social opportunities
Feeling socially connected within your community may improve your well-being and even lengthen your life expectancy. Unfortunately, today’s more sedentary lifestyles can make us feel isolated and lonely. Living in a more walkable neighbourhood can provide a great way of getting out and meeting people through increased interactions with neighbours and local businesses. It may also afford you more opportunities to enjoy local public areas, like parks with family members of friends nearby.
Houseful is here for your next steps
From getting your keys to getting back on the market—and all the days in between—Houseful is here to help you keep an eye on the big picture. Let’s see what’s possible and take the next step toward fulfilling your home ownership goals. Visit houseful.ca.
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