What can you get to within a 15-minute walk of your house?

A recent YouGov survey asked Americans what they think they should be able to get to within a 15-minute walk of their house.

Of these choices, I can currently walk to all of them from my apartment, aside from a university (no biggie, I’m not currently studying, although there is a Tafe within walking distance), a hospital, and a sports arena.

How many can you get to with a 15 minute walk from your house?

#fuckcars #walkability #urbanism #UrbanPlanning @fuck_cars #walking

  • pingvenoEnglish
    2·
    10 months ago

    Groceries, (crappy) park, pharmacy, 2 bus stops, light rail stop serving three lines, at least 15 restaurants/food carts, a bank, a gas station (and a standalone convenience store), a hospital, a barber shop, and a few bars.

    For the missing, good transit access fills in the gaps mostly:

    • Day care: I don’t have kids, so I don’t know this one. There probably is day care in the area.
    • Post office: I’m in kind of an awkward area for some amenities, and that includes post offices. Post drop boxes are plentiful, but an actual office takes some travel.
    • Shopping mall: I don’t frequent shopping malls, but there the light rail links up with some. Most are dying, but one is doing well. This is a shrug.
    • Movie theater: A few minutes on the light rail, no problem.
    • University: Portland State University is an urban university that I work at. I can access it by bus or light rail.
    • Sports arena: There are at least two sizeable sports arenas, the Moda Center and Providence Park, on the MAX light rail. The light rail gets heavy use from Portlanders who don’t want to deal with parking.

    There are two exceptions:

    • Good parks: The area actually has a lot of great parks, but there is a freeway blocking the nearest one. I can take transit, bike, or walk a while. That’s doable, but it adds a lot of time if I just want to go lounge around in the outdoors.
    • Elementary Schools: If I had kids, the area would be not great. It’s a 25 minute walk, which is a bit much. That said, one of the “bike bus” programs would be perfect since the route isn’t that long.