WHAT DO HOMEBUYERS WANT MOST?--A PLACE WITH SAFE BIKABLE ROUTES TO WORK AND SHOP

The National Association of Realtors surely would agree with the North Avenue draft vision and goals -- their Consumer Preference Survey on what current homeowners want released last month first ranked feature desired: "Safe routes for riding bikes to work and shopping.”

Clearly neighborhood property values and economy react to the demand from homebuyers--the features valued today, a walkable and bikable neighborhood along with quality transit comes close to describing the North Avenue draft vision.  The survey found that those who moved within the last three years or plan to move within the next three years preferred a walkable community by an average of 19 percentage points.  

The Realtors news release says it best: "First, people were asked to evaluate the place they live now by identifying whether they had too little, the right amount, or too much of particular attributes or amenities. The number one feature that people said there was too little of was 'Safe routes for riding bikes to work and shopping.'  The other top answers for what there was too little of in their neighborhoods was 'Public transportation within an easy walk;' 'Housing for people with low incomes;' and 'Shops or restaurants within an easy walk of your home.'

Thanks to former Planning Commission member Wayne Senville whose Planning Commissioners Journal alerted us to this survey:

http://plannersweb.com/2014/03/national-realtors-survey-indicates-strong-interest-walkable-mixed-use-neighborhoods/