Photo by Stephanie Cabrera
My wife, Laura, owns Whimsy and Wander Travel, which means I’m fortunate enough to have a pretty great travel planner in the family. We make it to Europe roughly twice a year, and while we love the food, the history, and the places we visit, there’s something else we always come home talking about.
The walking.
We love being able to step outside and walk to coffee, dinner, a little shop, or wherever the day takes us. Walking becomes part of the experience. You notice buildings, wander down a street that looks interesting, and find places you probably would have driven right past.
Then we come home, and getting back into the habit of driving everywhere is always a little hard.
Want coffee? Get in the car. Going to lunch? Get in the car. Need to run an errand a mile away? You’re probably getting in the car for that, too.
That’s one of the reasons I love Historic Downtown McKinney so much.
A Place Where Walking Fits Into Your Day
In a region where so much of daily life revolves around driving, downtown McKinney feels like a rare find. The square, the surrounding streets, and the nearby historic neighborhoods give you a chance to spend time on foot and actually enjoy getting where you’re going.
My office is basically on the corner of the square, and I love walking around out here. I get to step away from my desk, see what’s happening, and enjoy the place where I work.
This morning was a perfect example. We had our weekly Chamber meeting at the Flour Mill, over by City Hall and TUPPS. I simply walked over from the office.
It was an ordinary part of my morning, but it reminded me how much I appreciate being able to do that. A meeting becomes an opportunity to get outside, move a little, and experience downtown along the way.
I’d love for more of my day to work like that.
Could We Live This Way More Often?
Laura and I have talked about someday living in or near Historic Downtown McKinney.
We like the idea of walking to dinner, riding our bikes more, and having more of the places we enjoy close to home. We’ve even talked about maybe getting a golf cart.
We picture an evening when we can decide to go out, step outside, and walk somewhere together. Or a weekend when we can wander over to the square without making a production out of it.
Of course, living near downtown wouldn’t eliminate every car trip. But being able to replace some of those trips with a walk would make a meaningful difference in how we spend our time.
Our trips to Europe have helped us realize how much we value that.
Finding Your Version of Walkable
“Walkability” can sound like a real estate buzzword until you start thinking about what you actually want within walking distance.
For you, it might be coffee in the morning, restaurants for date night, shops to browse, or simply a pleasant route for an evening walk. The right location depends on what you want your everyday life to look like.
That’s a conversation I love having, especially about a place I get to enjoy firsthand.
If you’re interested in walkability in Historic Downtown McKinney—whether you’re thinking about moving soon or just imagining what someday could look like—we need to connect.
I’d be happy to meet you at the office and take a walk.
Local reference: Visit McKinney’s guide to exploring downtown on foot. visitmckinney.com