Walk Local While You Shop Local

Culver City is a very walkable place. In fact, it has a Walk Score™ of 88. How does this compare with other cities and why is it important?

Culver City compares favorably with many large cities, such as New York, Seattle, and San Francisco.  A score of 88 means most errands can be done on foot. If your response to this fact is, "No I can't," you might want to really think about how many of your errands you could in fact do without taking the car.  

I lived in New York City for 10 years and never thought twice about walking four or five miles every day to get to work, do grocery shopping, go to a movie, or visit friends.  California has always had its (notorious) car culture, so once we've lived here a while we simply stop thinking about walking.  Half a mile suddenly feels like a marathon.  Angelenos often joke that if you see someone walking that means they can't afford a car.

If you lived in a place like Beverly Hills, where the Walk Score is 12, you wouldn't be very inclined to hoof it to your local shops.   But that 88 score means if you aren't walking at least some of the time you are missing out on easy exercise and a chance to notice things you never see when you zip by in an automobile.

Walk Score lists the benefits of living in a walkable place like Culver City. The most impressive benefit they give is that "people in walkable neighborhoods weigh 6-10 pounds less."    Walkability also increases your property value and encourages community involvement.  Think about it. If you are walking in your neighborhood rather than driving, you will meet a lot more people.  I know when I do my daily walks I see the same people and we get to recognize each other. Sometimes we stop and chat.  You will also notice businesses you may have just driven by in the past.

The neighborhoods south of Culver Blvd. and east of Sepulveda are particularly walkable.  If you live in the neighborhood east of Overland and west of National you can walk to the movie theatre and all the downtown attractions in about 15 to 20 minutes.  That adds a nice bit of exercise to your day.  

If you live within a 30 minute walk of downtown, why not try hoofing it from now on?  You won't have to deal with the poorly designed parking structures on Watseka and Cardiff for one thing, and you will burn off some of the calories you take in at the great restaurants in the area.

Many weight loss experts recommend getting a minimum of 10,000 steps a day to stay fit.  Popular gadgets like the Fitbit are helping people see just how active or sedentary they are.  

So the next time you decide to grab lunch downtown, consider walking. It will help you clear your mind, keep the air a little cleaner, and help you work off that lasagna you just scarfed down at Ugos or that cup of Coldstone.

Vera has been a resident of Culver City since 1995.  She regularly walks her dog Lola and her roommate's dog Phin throughout Culver City.  Phin in fact believes he is the mayor of Culver City. Vera is the Chief Internet & Media Officer at Elements Behavioral Health.