Study: Buyers desire walkable neighborhoods, shorter commutes

Sixty percent of Americans say they favor neighborhoods with walkable features and a shorter commute, according to a new industry survey.

According to the National Association of Realtors® 2013 Community Preference Survey, homebuyers indicate that while the size of the property does matter, they are willing to compromise size for a preferred neighborhood.

A home’s “walk score” has increasingly become a factor for buyers tired of long commutes and having to get in the car just to go to the grocery store.

“Realtors® build communities and care about improving those communities through smart growth initiatives. Although there is no one-size-fits-all approach, smart growth is typically characterized by mixed-use development, higher densities, and pedestrian-friendly streets that accommodate a wide diversity of transportation modes,” said NAR President Gary Thomas in a statement. “Growth patterns, economic development and quality-of-life issues are inextricably linked to the success of communities and residents.”

Key findings of the survey include:

• Seventy-eight percent said that the neighborhood is more important to them than the size of the house.
• Fifty-seven percent would forego a home with a larger yard if it meant a shorter commute to work.
• Fifty-five percent of respondents were willing to forego a home with a larger yard if it meant they could live within walking distance of schools, stores and restaurants.

When asked to identify their ideal community, the most popular choice was a suburban neighborhood with a mix of houses, shops and businesses. The least popular was a suburban neighborhood with just houses.

The survey of 1,500 adult Americans was conducted by American Strategies and Meyers Research from September 18-24.