In neighborhoods where the streets connect, it’s easier to get to a shopping district on bike or by walking. Along the same lines, studies show that the best neighborhoods for exercise are those with a mixture of residential and commercial land use. If you live in a subdivision with only family homes, there’s a good chance the nearest commercial area is far enough away so that you have to drive to get there. But if there are stores and other shops either mixed right in with houses, or at least nearby, then you’re more likely to get some exercise by walking or biking around town instead of driving. So being healthy is in many ways a matter of making smart choices about food and being physically active. But choosing a healthy place to live is part of the picture, too.