Some cities are designed to be walking communities. I have discovered that I will get out and walk more if there are interesting sights along the way and walking is encouraged.
Now cities seem to be catching on and realizing that people will walk their streets (patronize their stores, too) if they can be more walk friendly.
There is even an organization that is awarding certain communities that meet their stringent requirements.
The awards are Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze and Honorable Mention.
My last two posts were from a walk friendly city which was given the Gold award.
One of Arlington's innovative programs is "Walk Arlington," which may have been one thing that helped them receive the award. I have been doing the walks designed by them and find it is great exercise and also enjoyable.
As seniors, we know we need to walk more so check out these cities that were given awards (some cities have not applied yet so that does not mean it is not walkable.) A city needs to have a focus on being more walkable to win these awards.
Platinum Award (the highest):
Seattle, WA
Chapel Hill, NC
Gold Award:
Ann Arbor, MI
Arlington, VA
Chicago, Ill.
Hoboken, NJ
Minneapolis, MN
San Francisco, CA
Santa Barbara
Silver Award:
Alexandria, VA
Charlottesville, VA
Decatur, GA
Philadelphia, PA
Santa Monica, CA
Bronze Award:
Austin, TX
Cary, NC
Charlotte, NC
Corvallis, OR
Davidson, NC
Flagstaff, AZ
Lee's Summit, MO
Wilsonville, OR
There is also an Honorable Mention category:
Cedarburg WI; Coeur d'Alene; Concord NH; Dayton; Franklin, TN; Juneau, AK; Louisville; Omaha; Rancho Cordova; Sparks and Temple Terrace, Fl.
To read more about Walk Friendly:
Complete Communities list at Walk Friendly
Because one of my criteria for a best place to retire is that there are opportunities to exercise, and walking being one of the best and easiest exercises, these cities would probably make list.
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