Walk Score

If you are moving and looking for a place to buy or rent, you should check out the website Walk Score.  It scores neighbourhoods based on how walker friendly they are.  Walkable neighbourhoods are determined based on proximity of restaurants, shops, schools, parks, etc.  The site admits some shortcomings in their calculations, but overall it's an excellent approximation of walkability.  The Walk Score website has a great list of reasons why it's important to live somewhere walkable.  The reasons range from the predictable eco-friendly sort to some you many not have though of, such as increased social capital.  Very cool site.  I'm going to be looking up the walk score of every neighbourhood I consider living in from now on. (Thanks Karon and fam).