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In a Livable Community ...

People of all ages can do lots of things! Take a look, and don't miss the shareable, printable download we created so you can show and tell others all about livability

  • Mother And Young Daughter Sit On Bench In Park With Only their Legs Showing, Legs Swinging Over Bench, Spending Time Together, In Livable Communities Slideshow
    Photo by Getty Images

    Spend Time Together

    A community that's livable for people of all ages and life stages is a town, city or neighborhood that people can safely and comfortably reside in from childhood to old age.

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  • A Young Couple Walks Their Dog Past Apartment Complex, In Livable Communities Slideshow
    Photo by Alamy

    Go For a Walk

    People are more active and socially engaged in communities that have sidewalks than in those that don't. According to Smart Growth America, the chances of a pedestrian being struck by a car more than doubles when an area has no sidewalks.

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  • Elderly Couple Crosses A Crosswalk Through Town, Cars, In Livable Communities Slideshow
    Plymouth, MI: Photo by the WALC Institute

    Safely Cross the Street

    In too many places, the only way to get from one side of a street to the other is to drive. In a livable community roadways are designed for people as well as for vehicles.

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  • Man Rides His Bike In The Dedicated Bike Lane In Street, City, Urban Setting, Trees, In Livable Communities Slideshow
    Photo by Alamy

    Ride a Bike

    Since the 19th century, Prospect Park West, a boulevard in Brooklyn, N.Y., has had vehicle lanes (first for horse-drawn carriages, then cars) and wide sidewalks for pedestrians. In the 21st century bicyclists received their own designated path.

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  • Light Rail Train Pulls Through Downtown Portland, Oregon, City Setting, Urban, Transportation, Public Transit, People, In Livable Communities Slideshow
    Portland, OR: Photo by Steve Semler/Alamy

    Get Around Without a Car

    Not everyone has access to a car and not everyone can drive. Also, as many a driver knows, traffic, costs and poor road conditions can undermine the convenience of traveling by car. A livable community includes transportation options.

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  • Rows Of Homes, Daylight, Housing, Porches, In Livable Communities Slideshow
    Photo by Getty Images

    Live Comfortably

    A livable community has varied types of housing so people seeking to move to or remain in an area can do so at various price points — and with residential options suitable for people of varying ages, abilities and life stages.

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  • Man Approaches A Table Of Elderly Men And Women, Volunteers, Election, Polling Place, In Livable Communities Slideshow
    Photo by Getty Images

    Work or Volunteer

    A livable community has ways for people to earn a living and, when time and obligations allow, put their energy, interests and skills to use through volunteer work, too.

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  • Woman Takes Man's Picture While He Stands In Public Fountain Splashing Water, Urban Setting, Buildings In Background, Water, In Livable Communities Slideshow
    Photo by Getty Images

    Visit Public Places

    Spending time out and about beyond one's home or workplace can be both enjoyable and energizing. Public places such as parks, Main Streets, libraries and recreational areas offer a community's residents a place to go and a place to meet.

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  • Group Of Smiling And Laughing Women Of Different Races, Mature Women, Friends, Socializing, In Livable Communities Slideshow
    Photo by Getty Images

    Socialize

    In a livable community, residents can spend time with folks they know and even make new friends. Activities and places to gather help people connect with one another and prevent loneliness.

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  • Woman Stretches And Practices Yoga In The Park, Exercise, Outdoors, Park, In Livable Communities Slideshow
    Photo by Getty Images

    Spend Time Outdoors

    You needn't be a fitness buff or nature enthusiast to benefit from some sunlight and fresh air. Parks, pathways, benches and green spaces encourage outdoor time. Having a porch, balcony, deck or yard at home is great, too.

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  • A Crowd Of People Sit On The Grass In Park To Watch A Free Movie, Movies In The Park, In Livable Communities Slideshow
    Photo by iStock

    Be Entertained

    While anyone with a TV or internet connection can be entertained, fun community activities such as street fairs, special events, concerts and shows help make a community desirable as both a destination and place to live.

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  • An African American Couple On Sidewalk With Stores In Background Carrying Shopping Bags, In Livable Communities Slideshow
    Photo by Getty Images

    Go Shopping

    It's possible now to shop online, by phone or by heading to a big box retail chain that sells a bit of everything. But communities without local shops and eateries tend to feel like faceless places or, worse, ghost towns.

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  • People Shopping For Fresh Fruits And Vegetables At Local Farmers Market, Vendors, In Livable Communities Slideshow
    Photo by Getty Images

    Buy Healthy Food

    Believe it or not, the United States is home to many so-called food deserts, which are areas where grocery stores are rare or nonexistent and fast food dominates over fresh food. Livable places promote and enable smart eating habits.

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  • Young Black Boy Smiles At His Dad While He Gets A Haircut At Barbershop, Barber, Dad, In Livable Communities Slideshow
    Photo by Getty Images

    Find the Services They Need

    When quality, regularly needed services (such as health care, education, even haircuts) can be found locally rather than miles or hours away, a community feels more like a home and a hometown rather than simply just a place to live.

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  • Grandparents Play With Grandson In Park, Trees, In Livable Communities Slideshow
    Photo by iStock

    Enjoy a Lifelong Home

    A livable community is a community that can be a home for people of all ages. Help "show and tell" what livable communities are by downloading and sharing a single-page graphic based on this slideshow. Here's how!

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The slideshow "In a Livable Community..." was published in February 2015

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