Walk Score reveals ease of accessibility to home shoppers
In a city like Houston, avoiding traffic and walking to where you’d like to go is definitely a possibility.
Relying on what’s known as a Walk Score for high-rise developments can aid in a decision to live where you can have access to any number of amenities and resources for your convenience, from cleaners to shopping and more.
Learning about a Walk Score can reveal an in-depth analysis of the area or community you’re hoping to reside in. Scores determine how many errands can be done without a car. A 90-100 reflects a Walker’s Paradise, a 70-89 is Very Walkable and 50-69 is Somewhat Walkable. Anything under these numbers requires a vehicle.
According to Walkscore.com/TX/ Houston, Houston is the 22nd most walkable large city in the U.S., where people can walk to an average of one restaurant, bar and coffee shop in five minutes.
It also noted Houston neighborhood Walk Scores, rating Midtown as an 86, Neartown-Montrose an 82, the Museum District is 79, downtown is 76 and Greenway-Upper Kirby is 75.
Robert Kane, a Realtor with CondoSmart Lifestyle LLC, said the radius of the property is included in the assessment.
“Services and amenities are really the hot buttons. It’s in the center of everything. If looking to purchase, buyers should type in the address and Google the Walk Score. A lot of people will also ask about transit scores and bike scores. It’s something on their lists and becomes a differentiator. Downtown has seen a renaissance with the popularity of Midtown. There’s a reason for those developments,” Kane said.
Laura Collins, a Keller Williams Memorial Realtor, said buyers who require a walkable neighborhood with a 70-90 score will be limited to handful of buildings in Houston.
Some of her clients are looking for Walk Scores for different reasons, but the primary is to do their errands by walking.
A good score also can mean they don’t have to drive a car or even own a car, she said.
Redfin.com ranked Houston’s Top 10 Most Walkable Neighborhoods and stated the demand is based on the steady influx of new residents from the East and West coasts looking for jobs.
Its lists of neighborhoods based on Walk Scores include Midtown, Neartown Montrose, downtown, Fourth Ward, Upper Kirby/Greenway Plaza, Rice/Museum District, University Place, greater Heights, Washington Avenue/Memorial Park, and Magnolia Park and greater Third Ward.
Collins said several Houston neighborhoods can accommodate people looking for a great walking experience, from River Oaks to Galleria and Midtown.
However, be aware that price point and age of the building could be factors in a final decision of where to reside, she said.
Properties to consider range from 2727 Kirby to Regency House, Highland Tower, and The Royalton at River Oaks for River Oaks; The Lofts on Post Oak, Montebello and Villa D’Este in the Galleria; and Rise Lofts in Midtown, Collins said.
“The great news is that Houston is becoming more of a walkable city each year,” Collins said. “Most developers are keeping the importance of this in mind with their new developments. Houston’s Walk Score overall will increase tremendously in three or four years. Buyers moving to Houston from cities such as New York and Chicago will no longer feel out of place.”