Episode 2 of my vlog counts the many ways Metro area walks and walkability enhance our lives. In case you didn’t catch it on Youtube or Instagram, you’ll find the video at the bottom of this blog post. The written tips and resources below are a companion piece. I hope they deepen your understanding and appreciation of where you live.
Bucket 1: Get walk scores
Find the walk score of your home or a listed property if you’re looking to buy. Just enter the address in the search window on this home page
Bucket 2: Learn how walkability affects home values
You’ll find Portland-specific data in the graphics of this Redfin article
Bucket 3: Join a Meetup walking or hiking group and let someone else plan your next outing (outdoor groups remain active in the pandemic)
- Positively Portland architectural history walking tours are a favorite of mine. Eric Wheeler helps you get to know Portland neighborhoods and home styles.
- NW Wilderness
- Trails Club of OR
- Portland Hiking Group
- 55+ Fitness and Fun with Physical Activities
Bucket 4: Buy or borrow guidebooks to memorable walks in Portland and Oregon, some tailored to active seniors and kids
The links below the images will take you to amazon.com, but you may be able to find the e’books on the virtual shelves of your neighborhood public library.
Bucket 5: Brush up on walkability, the 15-minute city, and Portland’s complete neighborhoods
- Global in perspective, this Bloomberg article lauds Portland as model city in car-centric America
- This Bureau of Planning & Sustainability piece defines ‘complete neighborhoods’ and presents the city’s 2035 access goal
- Our ParkScore courtesy of The Trust for Public Land
- Our score and national ranking courtesy of WalkScore
Bucket 6: Last but not least and because a picture’s worth 1,000 words, here’s a slide show of the nature walk just steps from my door – meant to inspire you to get more joy out of your neighborhood or to visit mine
