Via The Oil Drum I note this site called Walkscore, which is simply a Google map overlaid with a variety of everyday businesses and services in the local area, then scored to give a ‘walkability’ index for the address. It’s pitched as a real estate service, and it does seem like it would be helpful to scope out some neighborhood if you’re unfamiliar with it. But it does have (and acknowledge) a number of limitations, so obviously you need to look at a neighborhood for yourself!
It’s no accident that almost every previous address of mine scores very high on walkability – it’s one of the main factors I’m looking for in a place to live.
Of course preferences vary, and some folks would score walkability very low, though it will be interesting to see how gas prices relate to that preference.
