How our neighborhood scores work

Our own score based on Google Places counts. Not Walk Score. These scores are a simple way to compare how much is close to each neighborhood. They are not affiliated with Walk Score or any other rating service.

The method

Once a month we look up the closest places from Google Maps (up to 20 per category) within about 1.9 miles of a center point for each neighborhood. A place within 1 mile counts as 1; a place 1 to 1.9 miles away counts as ½. Each score is 0–100:

• Dining: 70% restaurants (full marks at 30 points) and 30% coffee & cafés (12 points).
• Parks & Activities: 40% parks & playgrounds (20 points), 30% schools (10), 30% family fun like libraries, theaters and bowling (6).
• Errands: 40% grocery (8 points), 30% pharmacy (8), 30% shopping (25).
• Walk: how many different places are within 0.5 mile of the center point (full marks at 40). Straight-line distance, not a walking route.

Because Google returns at most 20 places per category per search, very busy areas can top out on some inputs; the targets are set high enough that a score of 100 is rare.

Neighborhood center points are approximate. A home on the edge of a neighborhood may be closer to, or farther from, these places. Use the scores to compare, not as a guarantee.

Place data: Google Maps. Counts and names refresh monthly (last refreshed October 23, 2026). Distances are straight-line from the neighborhood center, not drive time. Always confirm hours and details with the business.