A new survey asks: “If you were moving to a new home, would you be willing to spend more to live in a community where you could easily walk to parks, shops, and restaurants?” Here’s how people responded.
When we were looking to buy a house, I basically crossed off the list anywhere that I couldn't walk to at least some essentials, like basic groceries, pharmacy, a couple restaurants. Our new neighborhood isn't nearly as walkable as where we used to rent, but everyone else heae seemed to have the same thoughts, and it's too expensive to buy a house there.
And at the same time they'll pay extra for large lots and seclusion... Things that make walkability difficult or impossible.
The survey does make a distinction between a house with a small yard that's walkable vs a house with a large yard that isn't, but that doesn't paint a full picture of the trade-offs here.
A reasonable length survey will never "paint a full picture". Maybe what they're trying to show is that there are a lot more people who value walkability more than is currently assumed. In most of the US you can either chose a super high density walkable area in a condo tower or a house in a car based suburb. It's possible to design neighborhoods that are walkable and can provide a reasonable amount of private outdoor space, and what this shows is people would be willing to pay for it!
What car? That number makes zero sense unless you're talking about a high cost, high maintenance luxury car.
I've had a car for 7 years. It cost me about 25K with financing, and costs me about $1300/yr to own between, gas, maintenance and insurance and, taxes. It's also current worth 15K.
We definitely paid a premium to be close to the kids school and within walking distance of a grocery store, parks, shops and transit.
100% worth it even if only for the community feeling our neighborhood and neighbors have. I can't say we'll save enough by leaving the car parked to offset the premium, but it fit the budget and it's far and away a better environment for my kids to be in. Green space is invaluable to our society.