What's the Suburban Definition of House That is Walkable to the Train (Chicago: how much, neighborhood)

[kindrakindra]

In Chicago, it seems that most people who aren't willing to drive to work don't want to walk more than 4 city blocks (approx one half mile) to the el. How far is too far in the suburbs? It seems a longer walk is more tolerable due to the scheduled nature of the Metra. Thoughts would be appreciated.

[tcs1366]

I've seen homes advertised in our town as "walkable" -- and some tend to be about 8-10 blocks or so. Our Metra station is pretty much smack dab in the middle of town... unless you are in an unincorporated part of town, about 80% of our village would be considered "walkable".

others ride bikes or get dropped off.

[mendelman]

I think the half mile standard probably still applies to the average suburban dweller for walking to a Metra station.

A half mile in the City is the same distance as a half mile in a suburb. Unfortunately, there are usually by far fewer dwellings within a half mile to a transit stop in an average suburb than in an average City neighborhood.

I, personally, would be comfortable with a 3/4 to 1 mile walk.

[chet everett]

A whole lot depends on the town and the standard that the locals go by. Sometimes this factors in major dividing roads. For instance in Western Springs it is no further to walk to the train from south of 47th than it would be in LaGrange or Hinsdale, yet you are pretty much NEVER going to see that in an ad in that section.

Up in Mt. Prospect the way Busse Rd and Northwest Hwy come together you are ONLY going to see "walk to train and town" within about three blocks of the station.

In Downers Grove, especially near Fairview and Belmont stations, lots of add will have "walk to train" as an plus from Maple to Ogden, a distance over 1.5 miles...

[cohdane]

I've lived in the city and in the suburbs. Always want to live near the train. Always hoping for 1/2 mile or under, but will settle for up to 3/4 mile.

For me, it's not a matter of the physical distance. It's a matter of... 1. The amount of time it adds to my commute and 2. How much I can physically/emotionally stand to walk when it's pouring rain or 10 below outside.

If a lot of people say 1/2 mile, that may be why, especially in colder climates.

[Nysee53]

I know there is a home in west Winnetka listed at $1,895,000 that classifies itself as a short stroll to the Downtown Winnetka train station. It is about 1 mile from the train station, so do your homework!

[NYrules]

Originally Posted by kindrakindra

In Chicago, it seems that most people who aren't willing to drive to work don't want to walk more than 4 city blocks (approx one half mile) to the el. How far is too far in the suburbs? It seems a longer walk is more tolerable due to the scheduled nature of the Metra. Thoughts would be appreciated.

Its not bad during this time of year, but come January and February and yes even March;typically those months are not nice for walking long distances to get to and from the train. Who wants to walk in slush and slop with it 25 degrees and winds whipping you in the face to the point that your boggers freeze to your face? Or worse, walk in 40 degree weather with icy rain beating down on you? Can you say pneumonia or flu? Thats why so many people choose their car vs the train around here.

[cdc3217]

My personal definition is about 3/4 of a mile.
In real-estate-ese (from what I can gauge) its about a mile.

[TTTenor]

Many years ago, when my spouse and I were buying our first house, we took a map and drew circles around train stations representing one-half mile and one mile distances.

We wouldn't consider any house that was farther than the one mile radius.

I walked 3/4 mile to the train for about thirty years. I learned a lot of tricks for walking in sub-zero weather!

[gardener34]

This answer to this question varies whether it is asked in January and it is 0 degrees out or in July when it is 85. Hard to walk 8 blocks in Jan in snow through sidewalks that people don't shovel. You see a lot of "kiss and rides" in the winter.
I lived in Elmhurst and went downtown and walked to and from the station, 6 blocks, took me 20 minutes.