Considering the possible effects that time spent in traffic has on the body—elevated blood sugar, greater incidence of anxiety, backaches, sleep disruption, temporary and long-term spikes in blood pressure—it’s no wonder that commute time is amongst the primary considerations of homebuyers.
Other commute-related factors also play a part. According to economist Jessica Lautz with the National Association of Realtors, “Seventy-three percent of recent home buyers said that commuting costs were an important factor when deciding whether or not to purchase a home.”
With the multitude of apps and websites available, it’s easier than ever to determine how long the commute will be from a new home. Even better: an app launched last year allows the user to enter the desired maximum length of the commute, then highlights the distances from the address that can be reached within that range.
For example, let’s say I work for Honeywell in Coon Rapids. Entering the physical address on WalkScore.com and choosing a rush-hour max commute time in minutes shows the best areas to look for homes.
Commute area within 10, 20, 30 minutes (from left to right, clockwise) of Honeywell
Compare that to working at Ameriprise, downtown Minneapolis. With a reverse commute and several easily accessible major freeways, a much larger area can be accessed within those same timeframes.
Commute area within 10, 20, 30 minutes (from top left to right, counterclockwise) of Ameriprise/ Downtown Minneapolis
As the running joke about Minnesota seasons goes, there are two here: winter and road construction. While there’s no way to solve traffic congestion, potholes, detours, or on-ramp meter lights, when choosing the location of your next home, the functionality of WalkScore’s commute times can help you select the best area to suit your commuting needs.
Angela Anderson, Realtor
Results Support Services, working with HomesMSP Team and RE/MAX Results in the Twin Cities--Sharlene, John, Angela
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