Check out the Ink and Compass blog for some interesting facts on how Americans’ housing desires have started to shift. However, in my opinion, not fast enough. Can someone tell me who those people are who would extend their daily commute by 40 minutes? But for those 75% who want walkability, 60% who want mixed-uses, and the 88% who crave a sense of community, the design of the physical environment must start meeting their needs.
I’ve heard it said, and have often repeated, that one can get used to living in a smaller house (or condo or apartment), but you never get used to a long commute. After decades of continued car-dependent sprawl, maybe we’re all finally cluing in. Or maybe not.
According to the 2011 Community Preference Survey that outlines what Americans look for when deciding where to live:
Six in ten (59%) would choose a smallerhouse and lot if it meant a commute time of 20 minutes or less. Four in ten (39%) would stick with the larger houses even if their commute was 40 minutes or longer
OK, so we’re not exactly all on the same page here.
A couple other interesting factoids from the survey:
1) We want to walk. More than three quarters of Americans consider having sidewalks and places to walk one of their top priorities.
2) In fact…
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At the Helm of the Public Realm: An Urban Design Blog 