Page 4 - The City of Greensboro Community Preference Survey

Executive Summary – Deciding Where to Live

Seven key traits for deciding where to live were tested: walkability (sidewalks and nearness to shops), commute length and

closeness to the highway, access to public transportation, and access to bike paths (generic and separated paths). Walkability,
a short commute, and proximity to the highway are top priorities – over eight-in-ten residents say those qualities are very or

somewhat important in deciding where to live. Access to buses and bike paths are secondary.

 While Greensboro residents echo the national results in their top priorities, certain elements are much more important to

them. Two-thirds say that sidewalks and places to take walks are VERY important in deciding where to live, compared to

half of national respondents. Being close to the highway and within a short commute to work is also very important to
over half of Greensboro residents.

 Millennials and Gen Xers are much more likely than older generations to prioritize walkability and a short commute to

work, with at least half of Millennials describing those characteristics as VERY important in determining where to live.

 Income is also a key determinant in prioritizing these traits. Access to city or regional buses is much more important to

those earning under $50,000 (52 percent VERY important) compared to those earning more than $50,000 (19 percent).
Walkability is also more important to those with lower incomes. In contrast, length of commute is very important no

matter the income, with those with the highest incomes prioritizing it the most.

 Those with kids living at home are much more likely to value a short commute (69 percent very important) and walkable

community (60 percent very important) than those with no kids at home.