Walkability-indexing website WalkScore announced the release last week of a study (based on data from their site) showing that homes in more walkable neighborhoods are more valuable.
What's "walkable"? WalkScore has a good description of a walkable neighborhood. But for the purpose of assigning walk scores, the site grades neighborhoods on how far a person would have to walk to get to various amenities (grocery stores, libraries, coffee shops, movie theaters, and more). So in a neighborhood with a very high walk score (90-100), "Most errands can be accomplished on foot and many people get by without owning a car." In a neighborhood with a very low walk score (0-24), "Virtually no neighborhood destinations within walking range. You can walk from your house to your car!"
Portland has some very high-scoring neighborhoods; the Pearl District, for instance, rates a 99. Outside the central city, though, ratings are often not so high. In our area, for instance, the Hazelwood neighborhood rates a 64 (somewhat walkable), and is ranked 34th among Portland neighborhoods. Parkrose's walk score is 58 (still somewhat walkable), and ranks 43rd in Portland.
Look a little closer, though, and it's possible to find walkable neighborhoods in the Parkrose/Gateway area. You can search WalkScore by address to determine whether a specific home is in a walkable area. For instance, the Anne Marie Apartments at 11177 NE Weidler have a walk score of 71 (very walkable) because they are on a main street and close to a number of businesses. The Fairmont Villa Apartments, just down the street at 10445 NE Weidler, score even better -- 75.
Does this translate into higher home values? Within Parkrose/Gateway right now, it doesn't look like it. A glance at the RMLS listings for the area shows that homes further away from the business district are priced higher. But within the entire Portland area, certainly. A home in the Buckman neighborhood (near the Hawthorne District), with a walk score of 90, will cost significantly more than a home in the Gateway area.
Could this area become more walkable? Take a look at the characteristics of walkable neighborhoods, and see what you think. We do have (or are developing) some of the characteristics, although each neighborhood would have to develop its own center to really be walkable. Meanwhile, we can continue to make our communites more livable by getting involved, getting to know each other, and by patronizing local businesses.
