Purchasing a home in a suburb with a high walk score provides you with a multitude of benefits – from better health and wellbeing, right through to sustainability, saving money and adding value to your property.
We break down why purchasing a property in a walkable suburb like Footscray is beneficial for buyers.
What is a walk score?
A walk score measures the walkability of any suburb or address. According to walkscore.com, a walk score is calculated on a points system, ranging from 0 (very car dependent) to 100 (a walker’s paradise). Points are awarded based on the distance to amenities in each category. Amenities within a 5-minute walk (400 metres) are given maximum points.
The suburb of Footscray has a walk score of 78, and Millhouse Residence itself has a walk score of 84 – classifying both locations as ‘very walkable’. Receiving a very walkable walk score means people living in the area can run most errands on foot.
Why is walkability important?
When you reside in a walkable suburb that has easy access to public transport and essential amenities, you’re likely to live a healthier lifestyle than those in car-dependent locations. But it’s not just your waistline that can benefit from a high walk score.
Living in a walkable suburb like Footscray means you don’t necessarily need to own a vehicle – which can save you thousands annually on car ownerships costs such as fuel, registration, insurance, maintenance, or loan repayments.
What’s more, every point above 70 in the walk score system could add between $700 and $3000 in value for your property compared to neighbouring, less walkable suburbs. As the walk score gains traction in Australian real estate, this could be a huge drawcard should you decide to rent or sell your property in a highly walkable suburb.
And finally, for the environmentally conscious, choosing to walk instead of driving or taking public transport can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, cut down traffic congestion and reduce noise in your local area.
The Victorian Government has recognised the importance walkability can have on a suburb’s liveability through the creation of 20-minute neighbourhoods. The 20-minute neighbourhood concept is about ‘living locally’—giving residents the ability to meet most daily needs within a 20-minute return walk from home, with access to safe cycling and local transport options. The Plan Melbourne 2017-2050 planning strategy seeks to create the 20-minute neighbourhood concept a reality for every person living in Melbourne.
With Footscray well on its way to be a 20-minute neighbourhood, Millhouse residents are set to benefit from living in a highly walkable suburb.
Essential amenities located within a 20-minute walk of Millhouse Residence:
- Commercial Road Bus Stop – 2 minutes
- Droop Street Tram Stop – 3 minutes
- Footscray Primary School – 13 minutes
- Footscray High School – Kinnear Campus – 5 minutes
- Footscray High School – Barkly Campus – 15 minutes
- St John’s Primary School – 12 minutes
- Footscray Early Learning Centre – 2 minutes
- Victoria University: Footscray Park Campus – 8 minutes
- Aldi Maribyrnong – 11 minutes
- Friendly Grocer and Liquor – 2 minutes
- Empire Milk Bar – 2 minutes
- Gordon Street Bakery – 3 minutes
- Westmed Medical Centre – 3 minutes
- Footscray Hospital – 6 minutes
- Footscray Pharmacy – 16 minutes
- Chemist Warehouse Footscray – 16 minutes
- Heatley Reserve Playground – 4 minutes
Millhouse Residence, Footscray’s newest residential community, is now selling. Register your interest now to receive exclusive access to floorplans, pricing and incentives.