ABSTRACT
This chapter explains pragmatic reasons people chose a neighborhood and how those relate to an overall neighborhood identity. The visual identity captures the essence of both pragmatic and emotional reasons for choosing a neighborhood. A major reason people choose neighborhoods is schools. Downes and Zabel also determined that schools matter for neighborhood choice but found almost opposite reasons from K. J. Hayes and L. R. Taylor in their longitudinal study of Chicago-area schools. For instance, if someone picked a neighborhood for its good schools, feelings of safety were often closely intertwined. Neighborhoods can contribute to a person’s overall health and wellness, so it makes sense people would want to make a purchase in a place they see opportunities to reduce stress. One feature of a walkable neighborhood includes greenways. The Families, Park, and Recreation department’s website lists 19 neighborhood recreation centers meant for everyone from children to senior citizens.
