Walk Score

There, I’ve said it!  I’ve even cursed it!  I believe Walk Score is flawed!  Let me tell you why…

1. Walk Score does not HUP(Something from quantum mechanics, the Heisenberg uncertainty principle) crime statistics or school statistics into its calculations.
2. My house ranks extremely low even lower than the average in my community, and that’s just wrong. It’s my house!
   

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3. I compared my current house with the other three homes my wife and I have lived in, and I have determined that Walk Score is flawed. While our first three houses were well into the high 60s, my current residence only registers 26.
4. All things Real Estate have embraced Walk Score blindly without understanding the unintended consequences of embracing something that is flawed.
5. I have not read any criticism of Walk Score.  Everything deserves a little criticism!
6. I contacted Walk Score about the crime issue, and to their credit, Walk Score did respond to my criticism.  So, at least I know they will get better.  But, they didn’t do anything about it!
7. If you go to Walk Score’s website, it seems like it is in the advertising business rather than truly delivering a valuable service.  It might be my jaded sense, but you be the judge.
8. The school system supporting my community is the best in the state!  Walk Score does not appreciate this.
9. I have a 5+ mile pedestrian loop from my house where I don’t have to cross a single busy street! Walk Score does not appreciate this.
10. And last but not least, Walk Score, is genuine, but the perception of what it is and what it does far exceeds what it is.

So, what’s my point?  As you can see, I currently live with in 1.25 miles of everything a modern American could possibly want.  I am even .81 miles from a Starbucks for my favorite Venti Unsweetened Passion Iced Tea! (Mmmm!)  How could I possible have a walk score of 26.  The Elementary School all three kids attended is .36 miles from my house.  I back to 120 acres of open space right out my door, and Walk Score says I live .21 miles away?  How could that be?

You’ve heard my rant, so here’s my point.  Before you bite into Walk Score, hook line and sinker, think about it.  I personally don’t think my current location is any more inaccessible than my other three highly rated locations even though Walk Score says it is.  Additionally, I have no crime where I live now, and I would never park on the street at night in any of those three other locations.

Now, here’s my bias.  I’m a suburban guy.  Don’t get me wrong, I love the city, and have traveled to cities all around the world, but I gain great peace and personal serenity from the quietness found in my backyard.  Something that could not be achieved at any of my other three homes regardless of their Walk Scores.