According to a survey conducted for the National Association of Realtors and Smart Growth America, a commute time of 45 minutes or less is a top priority in deciding where to live. Easy freeway access and walkable communities are also important factors in deciding where to live, the study found. Smart Growth America is a coalition of 100 nonprofit organizations focused on metropolitan expansion and its impacts on the environment, quality of life and economic conditions.

The survey was conducted from August 26th to September 6th, with 1,130 adults participating in the survey.

• About 79% of respondents said that commute times of 45 minutes or less were somewhat important or very important factors in deciding where to live.
• About 75% said easy highway access was important, 72 percent said a walkable community is important.
• 65% said it is important to live in a community with people of all ages.
• 60% said it is important to live in a place that is away from it all.
• 57% said it is important to have a large house on more than one acre of land.
• 51% said it is important to be within walking distance to stores and restaurants.
• Minorities are even more likely than other Americans to choose a walkable neighborhood that has a shorter commute.

Among people planning to buy a home in the next three years, 87% place a high importance on a shorter commute as their top priority. Walt McDonald, broker-owner of Walt McDonald Real Estate in Riverside, Calif., and president of the National Association of Realtors, said, This survey shows that most Americans prefer to live in walkable communities with shorter commutes, sidewalks and amenities close by - a trend Realtors have seen first-hand. Smart growth communities are the wave of the future, especially since they're heavily favored by prospective buyers and minorities, who represent a growing share of the home-buying market.

If you want write the news for our site please e-mail inf@everythingre.com

To discuss this article Click Here to go to our Online Forum