WHY WE LIKE IT: Whether you’re looking to rent or buy a home or apartment, Walk Score is an index that will help you understand the ‘walkability’ of the location you are considering. With increased congestion everywhere, it’s fun to consider Walk Score as a new criteria in your location search process! The scale rates a city or neighborhood from 1-100; for larger metro areas there’s even a Bike Score and Transit Score.

Walk Score’s mission is to promote walkable neighborhoods. As its founder said: ‘Walkable neighborhoods are one of the simplest and best solutions for the environment, our health, and our economy.’

In addition to calculating a score, it also shows a map of nearby restaurants, shops, grocery stores, schools, outdoor spaces, and more. Plus, it gives information on nearby public transit.

(Note: Walk Score launched in 2007 and was purchased by residential real estate company Redfin in 2014.)