Walking is a free and healthy form of transportation. The most important factor for walkable homes is proximity to destinations. The average person is typically not willing to walk more than 5 or 10 minutes to a destination when driving is an option, even if there are good sidewalks or paths along the way. 

The distance from homes to destinations is primarily a result of development patterns. Accordingly, local land use policy is a key tool for ensuring walkable development. 

Additional Resource: Pedestrian-Oriented Development by NH Office of Strategic Initiatives