The Strut-your-stuff Cities of Wisconsin

Key Strides

• Redfin, cutting-edge real estate service provider, laces up to compile an impressive ranking of Wisconsin’s most walkable cities.
• A pedestrian-loving Madison takes the crown as numero uno, making its citizens gleefully ditch their car keys.
• Close runner-ups include Milwaukee and La Crosse, where strolling is more of a unifying cultural pastime than a tiresome necessity.
• The list brings forth substantial benefits of walkability, including healthier communities, eco-friendly transport, and opportunities for local businesses to thrive.
• In contrast, cities scoring low on the walkability scale pay the price in terms of health, social interaction, and opportunities for economic growth.
• Redfin’s unique ‘Walk Score,’ calculated based on walking routes, density of amenities, and road metrics, forms the basis of the ranking.

A Brisk March Forward

• The report highlights Wisconsin’s commitment to improving its urban designs and infrastructure favoring pedestrians.
• These measures include safer crosswalks, more parks, and increased accessibility to day-to-day amenities, prompting a staunch shift from car-dependent neighborhoods.
• State and city governments, in tandem with community organizations, are seen getting their hands dirty to make Wisconsin cities more foot-friendly.
• The growing exodus towards work-from-home trend post-pandemic renders these efforts timely and indeed, necessary.

Stumbling Blocks

• Despite the positive strides, the article also shines light on the challenges encountered by less walkable cities in Wisconsin.
• Encumbered by sprawled housing development patterns and limited investments in pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, these cities have a longer and steeper climb ahead.
• Additionally, Wisconsin’s harsh winters pose a significant obstacle to consistent walkability throughout the year.

Hot Take

Bust out your best pair of sneakers, folks, as Wisconsin is transforming into a walker’s paradise, one city at a time. As revealed by our pals at Redfin, Madison is now the reigning queen of the walkathon, causing a real “bump” in the auto industry’s road. So, for those of you who break into a cold sweat at the thought of parallel parking, these walking-friendly cities are a match made in heaven.

Oh, and let’s not forget our slowpokes who seem a bit stranded behind sprawls and winter chills. Chin up, guys! Opportunities are untapped and it’s high time to march to the beat of the walker’s grand drum. With the pandemic pushing an online work culture, the car commute guilt can be a thing of the past. So sit tight…or rather, walk confidently, knowing that you are contributing to healthier communities and helping local businesses get some of that sweet footfall traffic. Pun very much intended!

Original article: https://www.redfin.com/blog/most-walkable-cities-in-wisconsin/