Tops on the list: shorter commute

Despite the trend to build large housing developments far outside cities, most Americans would rather see investments focus on older suburbs and cities to give them shorter commuting times, sidewalks and places to walk, according to a poll by the National Assn. of Realtors and Smart Growth America.

Prospective home buyers in particular place a high value on limiting commuting times. The survey also finds that most Americans believe traffic problems are more likely to be curbed by improving public transportation and building neighborhoods less dependent on driving than by building more roads.