I'll walk, thank you

I've recently started trying to be conscious of how much I drive my car, and opting to walk whenever feasible. This is great for getting a little extra exercise and for keeping the car in the driveway, but it often comes at the expense of funny looks. When I have the time, I'll load up a backpack with all the things I'll need for my journey.

I'm really only able to go so far since I'm not located in an urban area, but here's the usual list of services I'm able to reach on a walk (within a 1 mile radius of the house):

• The bank - I'm lucky to have two within one mile, each on different areas for an easy loop
• Post Office
• Dry Cleaner
  
• Grocery store - we've been missing the Fresh Market, but I hear Whole Foods is coming!
  
• Hair dresser
• Convenience store
• Coffee Shop
• Restaurants - we're lucky to be near several yummy mom and pop restaurants
  

We also have several bus stops nearby, and I've been trying to figure out how I can work that into my routine for longer trips.

This list is pretty short, in my opinion, and goes to the difference living in an urban environment can make. It is so much easier to get that extra exercise AND reduce your carbon impact by the convenience of having a lot of services nearby.

I've been studying for the LEED exam, and one of the first sections is on Site Selection. Interestingly, in order to qualify for one of the Alternate Transportation credits you have to have at least 10 services within 1/2 mile of the building entrance.

I would guess most people wouldn't walk a mile one-way to the post office or bank, but if you have a bunch of services in a 1/2 mile from your doorstep or office building it wouldn't seem like such a hike.

And, I'm sure if I lived in a downtown area people wouldn't think twice about seeing pedestrians in the crosswalks.