Living in a walkable neighborhood makes people healthier and happier.

• Ecological models of human aging propose that the physical or built environment may influence the well-being of people as they develop.
• We examined the effect of neighborhood walkability on the happiness of younger and older adults.
• Living in a walkable neighborhood was directly linked to the happiness of people aged 36 to 45 and, to a lesser extent, those aged 18 to 35.
• For adults 45 years and older, walkable neighborhoods mattered for happiness indirectly, mediated by health and feelings of trust in others.

Michael Hogan Ph.D.