Thinking about moving to a new neighbourhood? Then you need to take into consideration how walkable the neighbourhood truly is. Walkability isn’t something most people think about when moving to a new location (daily commute among other things seem to take precedent) but it’s actually one of the most important aspects to think about when moving to a new neighbourhood. There are clear advantages to living in a neighbourhood where any destination is just a walk away – here are just a few of them.
Improves mental and physical health
The average person living in a walkable neighbourhood is less likely to be at risk for the conditions that plague our society the most: obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and even depression. A neighbourhood designed to be walked provides its residents with the ability to move around the neighbourhood much more quickly than if they would have driven. Such neighbourhoods usually make it easier to access certain amenities just by walking, so residents never have to worry about parking. This actually incentivizes exercising! Because it entices residents to walk more, the average health of the neighbourhood becomes, well…healthier.
Protects the environment
With the United Nations warning that we have approximately 12 years to minimize the effects of climate change, there’s never been a better time to do your part to help the environment. Walkable neighbourhoods achieve this by incentivizing walking. The more people that walk, the less fossil fuels that pollute the air (which accounts for the bulk of CO2 emissions). Not only does this decrease the pollution of our world, it also improves Ontario’s environment – a true win-win!
Easy on your finances
Everyone wants to save money, and a walkable neighbourhood achieves even this. Take Streetsville Centre, for example. Because this new development is just a five-minute walk to everything in Streetsville, there is rarely a reason for residents to get into their automobile and drive anywhere in town. This saves an absorbent amount on fuel annually; those that can get away with public transportation may even be able to sell their vehicle, saving even more on annual automobile costs. Because walkable neighbourhoods are also becoming highly sought-after, this is only increasing property values even further. We’re seeing it unfold before our very eyes, and it’s creating a…
A sense of community
Neighbourhoods that are walkable are not just creating a sense of community though – they’re creating real, legitimate communities within the city itself. It’s a reason Streetsville is called the, ‘village in the city;’ when walking is incentivized in walkable neighbourhoods, this puts a face on every resident. You get to know people when most of your commute involves walking, and you feel better about doing so – mainly because you are…
Simply happier
That’s all there is to it: walkable neighbourhoods make people happier. When our neighbourhoods don’t have to be littered with smog, we get to know the people living by us, we exercise daily, and we get to save money just by living, of course people are going to be happy living in a neighbourhood like Streetsville! It’s a wonder why more neighbourhoods aren’t as walkable as a model walking neighbourhood like Streetsville Centre; if every neighbourhood were like this, the world would undoubtedly be a happier place.
Want to know more about moving to a walkable neighbourhood? Call Dunpar Homes! We will point you in the right direction to ensure you not only get a fresh start in life, but you start off healthy, happy, and knowing that you made the right choice!
