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Myth and Fact 31 buyers prefer to live in a community where they can walk or bike to some desti- nations.56 The 2001 American Housing Survey further reveals that respondents cited proximity to work more often than unit type as the leading factor in housing choice.57 These surveys confirm that many people prefer the suburbs but want the amenities traditionally associated with cities, including living close to work. With the continuing decentralization of cities and the rise of suburban communi- ties with urban-like amenities, many people find that they can live and work in the suburbs with all the attributes of suburbia they desire without giving up walkability and convenience. A recent study confirms that in many regions, more office space is located in suburban locations than downtowns,58 providing an opportunity for people to live near their jobs. Communities and developers that have recognized and responded to the dual trends of decentralized offices and a growing desire for a more convenient lifestyle have been rewarded. Well-placed mixed-use, higher- density developments in the suburbs are increasingly popular, creating a new sense of place. Communities are being developed using the best concepts of traditional commu- nities—smaller lots, a variety of housing types, front porches and sidewalks, shops and offices within walking distance, and public transit nearby. Communities like Celebration in Florida and King Farm in Maryland have been so popular with the homebuying public that past worries over whether the demand exists for them have been replaced by concerns about their rapid price appreciation, putting them out of the reach of all but the highest-income households. Today’s real demographic and lifestyle changes are inspiring a return to traditional development styles that offer walkable, bikeable, and more dynamic communities that put residents closer to shops, offices, and parks. MYTH SEVEN FACTSEVEN