Special feature: Urban living, walkable neighborhoods appeal to buyers

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While not everyone pines for an urban lifestyle, many people see the advantages of living in a place where residents can walk to most destinations, easily access public transportation and enjoy cultural attractions. Perhaps, they can even live car-free.

Walk Score (www.walkscore.com) is a Web site that rates neighborhoods based on their "walkable" features. Since the site was launched in July 27, more than 6 million addresses have been searched.

Walk Score defines a walkable neighborhood as one that has a center (a main street, public square or shopping district); density, which means that local businesses can flourish and public transportation runs frequently; mixed-income and mixed-use developments are part of the community; parks or other public spaces are easily accessible; a pedestrian-centric design with buildings placed near the street for foot traffic, and nearby schools and workplaces.

Most of these elements are found in neighborhoods within city limits, but developers are now creating communities in the suburbs with town centers that mimic urban areas. Many of these suburban town centers include restaurants, shops and entertainment venues, along with office space and a residential component, where residents can find urban-style living outside the city.

The District

At Capitol Quarter, EYA is building 208 town homes within walking distance of the Navy Yard and Capitol South Metro stations, Nationals Park, and shops and restaurants along Eighth Street in Southeast Washington. Plans for the Capitol Riverfront development will add more shops, restaurants and entertainment options to this Capitol Hill neighborhood.

In addition to the infill location along seven city blocks, the community meets "green" criteria since residents can rely less on their cars. The homes at Capitol Quarter will all be EnergyStar and Silver LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified, meaning they meet high standards for energy efficiency and the use of green building techniques.

The community includes a mix of market-rate homes, work-force homes and affordable rentals. The market-rate town homes are priced from $635,000 to the $700,000s. The homes have three finished levels with the option of adding a roof terrace and a deck, with hardwood floors on the main level, high ceilings, high-tech wiring, garage parking and ceramic tile baths. Call 202/484-0360 or visit www.eya.com.

Pulte Homes Inc. is building 209 three-story garage town homes at Dakota Crossing, located at 2621 Patricia Roberts Harris Place in the Fort Lincoln area of Northeast Washington. Dakota Crossing is directly in front of the Fort Lincoln Cultural and Community Center, which has a swimming pool and tennis courts.

Residents can enter the community from either New York Avenue or South Dakota Avenue. Downtown Washington and the Brookland and Rhode Island Avenue Metro stations are also accessible from Dakota Crossing.