Here’s a website our Victory Heights blogger-neighbor found: www.walkscore.com/WA/Seattle/Pinehurst. It ranks us as ‘somewhat walkable’. I suspect the ranking is based on multiple criteria such as ability to walk to stores, transit, etc. For instance, Northgate’s score is 88.
According to this website, in Seattle, 68% of residents have a walk score of 70 or above. At 66, Pinehurst is a bit below that, but we can feel good that we have a relatively safe neighborhood where we are comfortable walking. And many of us do walk here – a lot.
It’s very much based on the distance to things you might be walking to. So having grocery stories, restaurants, and such nearby helps.
That being said, I don’t think it takes sidewalks into account at all. I think it just assumes they’re there.
http://www.walkscore.com/rankings/ranking-methodology.shtml