I would be a happy man if I could get by day to day without a car.

Currently, I manage to go sometimes several days without using my car. I walk to my teaching job at the University of Texas (1.6 miles each way), and there are a few errands that I can do by walking. But many things are just too far away.

I discovered an interesting website: www.walkscore.com. Type in your address, then it rates your neighborhood based on walkability on a scale of 0 – 100 (using an undisclosed algorithm). Here’s what the scores mean:

90 – 100 = Walkers’ Paradise: Most errands can be accomplished on foot and many people get by without owning a car.
70 – 90 = Very Walkable: It’s possible to get by without owning a car.
50 – 70 = Some Walkable Locations: Some stores and amenities are within walking distance, but many everyday trips still require a bike, public transportation, or car.
25 – 50 = Not Walkable: Only a few destinations are within easy walking range. For most errands, driving or public transportation is a must.
0 – 25 = Driving Only: Virtually no neighborhood destinations within walking range. You can walk from your house to your car!

My address scored a 43, which is not great. I’m willing to walk a bit farther than most people, I suspect, so I’m willing to call my neighborhood “somewhat walkable”. And by walking much more than I have been in the past, I’m also driving less often to the gym.