Living within walking distance of a school can boost quality of life for families, offering shorter commutes, greater independence for children and easier daily routines. But those benefits often come with a price premium, especially in highly rated school districts, writes Anna Baluch for Realtor.com. Baluch cites NAR data, which shows that buyers will pay more to live in a walkable neighborhood, as they increasingly value convenience over square footage.

When evaluating a neighborhood, experts say buyers should look for continuous sidewalks, safe crossings, traffic-calming measures and good visibility. Michelle Griffith, a luxury real estate broker at Douglas Elliman in New York City, recommends that—before they make an offer—buyers walk the neighborhood multiple times a day to get a good read of what goes on throughout the day and week.