Walk Score
The above “Walk Score” is for the address of 1610 Little Raven Street, Denver Colorado 80202, the home of Zengo Restaurant and the heart of the plaza in Riverfront. The score (at least today when writing the post) is 83 or “Very Walkable”. How cool is this tool!!! 8-)
Walk Score calculates, on a scale to 100, how pedestrian friendly (walkable) your address is. If you are looking for a new home or just want to check out your existing home give it a shot. It calculates the score by looking at what surrounds it. Are there restaurants, parks, shopping, bars, etc. All the fun stuff. Here is what Walk Score says the scores mean:
- 90 – 100 = Walkers’ Paradise: Most errands can be accomplished on foot and many people get by without owning a car.
- 70 – 90 = Very Walkable: It’s possible to get by without owning a car.
- 50 – 70 = Some Walkable Locations: Some stores and amenities are within walking distance, but many everyday trips still require a bike, public transportation, or car.
- 25 – 50 = Not Walkable: Only a few destinations are within easy walking range. For most errands, driving or public transportation is a must.
- 0 – 25 = Driving Only: Virtually no neighborhood destinations within walking range. You can walk from your house to your car
Now they do concede that their are still some things they are working to figure out. Here is what they say doesn’t work yet:
” There are a number of factors that contribute to walkability that are not part of our algorithm:
- Street width and block length: Narrow streets slow down traffic. Short blocks make it easier to navigate the grid.
- Safety: How much crime is in the neighborhood? How many traffic accidents are there? Are crosswalks well marked and streets well lit?
- Pedestrian-friendly design: Are there walking paths? Are buildings close to the sidewalk with parking in back? Are sidewalks shaded by trees?
- Topography: Hills can make walking difficult, especially if you’re carrying groceries.
- Public transit: Good public transit is important for walkable neighborhoods.
- Freeways and bodies of water: Freeways can divide neighborhoods. Swimming is harder than walking.
- Weather: In some places it’s just too hot or cold to walk regularly.
As MarlonBain said, “You should use the Web 3.0 app called going outside and investigating the world for yourself” before deciding whether a neighborhood is walkable!”
What a great tool for house hunting and evaluating the pedestrian friendly nature of any neighborhood. I don’t know about you, but I am trying to move further up the Walk Score with every change of residence I make. So hopefully this helps out those relocating to Denver or those of you contemplating a move.
Please comment back and let everyone know how your address rates.
How did you score?
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My home street address in the CPV just got an 85. Not sure why it’s two points higher since I’m pretty much next door.
And OUCH!! The place I lived in Wildridge (Avon) Colorado got a 6 . Anyone have lower than that? Glad to be living at an 85 now. Any mountain residents reading, that neighborhood needs some bus service.
Very cool tool! I also got an 85, but that probably doesn’t surprise you. :)
Over in the BallPark hood I got an 88.
Why only walk score? Maybe also we should use drive score.It’s already used by sellers from Fizber.com. Try!I think that “drive score” is really a good idea !!
O-o! I was at http://drivescore.fizber.com/
With it one can see how close establishments are by car. Homes are often located in an area where restaurants, libraries, grocery stores, hospitals and other businesses are easier to get to by car than on foot.
It’s difficult to me to understand how computer counts my walk, drive and others scores. By what criterion it judges? I always don’t agree with my mark and I feel upset! I don’t need most things (Gas Station, Railway Station) that computer proposing to me. But I found a service http://drivescore.fizber.com/ that offers me to choose things by myself. So my score became much higher than it was. So you can think that you are living in paradise.
My walk score is 53… I was rather upset with it. And I was surprised to know that there is another score called to evaluate my house. I found the way to calculate it online at Fizber site http://drivescore.fizber.com/. I’ve got much better results – 86.