Blog > Markham Neighbourhoods With the Best Walkability: 2026 Walk Score Guide
Markham Neighbourhoods With the Best Walkability: 2026 Walk Score Guide
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The most walkable parts of Markham are Main Street Unionville (Walk Score 92 at 156 Main Street Unionville), Old Markham Village around Main Street and Highway 7 (Walk Score 89), and Downtown Markham around Enterprise Boulevard and Water Walk Drive, which Walk Score rates Very Walkable. Markham's citywide average Walk Score is 35, so most of the city is car-dependent and true walkability is found in a few pockets.
Some people want a bigger lot. Others want to walk to coffee, pick up groceries on foot and leave the car in the garage all weekend. In Markham, you can have the second lifestyle, but only in certain pockets.
Markham's average Walk Score is 35 out of 100. That means most streets need a car for daily errands. The good news is that a handful of neighbourhoods score far higher, and several sit on the GO train line or the VIVA rapid bus route.
Michael John Lau, a Markham REALTOR® with 430+ homes sold and a perfect 5.0 rating across 81 Google reviews, helps many downsizers and young professionals find exactly this kind of street. Below is how the most walkable areas compare, based on Walk Score data checked in October 2026.
| Rank | Area | Sample Walk Score | Transit nearby |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Main Street Unionville | 92 (156 Main St Unionville) | Local and express YRT buses; Unionville GO about 1.7 km |
| 2 | Old Markham Village | 89 (Hwy 7 & Main St Markham S) | VIVA Purple; Markham GO on Main Street |
| 3 | Downtown Markham | Very Walkable (Water Walk Dr); 72 (268 Buchanan Dr W) | VIVA on Highway 7; Unionville GO |
| 4 | Unionville, south of Hwy 7 | 65 (24 Main St) | 12-minute walk to Unionville GO |
| 5 | Markville area | 51 (555 S Unionville Ave) | Good transit: VIVA, YRT, GO bus |
| For contrast | Wismer, near Mintleaf Park | 41 | Bus routes; Mount Joy GO by car or bus |
Key takeaways
- Markham's citywide average Walk Score is 35, so walkable streets are the exception, not the rule.
- Main Street Unionville scores 92, a Walker's Paradise.
- Highway 7 and Main Street in Old Markham Village scores 89, with VIVA and Markham GO nearby.
- Downtown Markham is the best fit for car-light condo living.
- Walk Scores are address-specific. Two streets in the same neighbourhood can score very differently.
What does a Walk Score mean?
Walk Score rates an address from 0 to 100 based on how many errands you can do on foot. The bands are simple:
- 90 to 100, Walker's Paradise: daily errands do not need a car.
- 70 to 89, Very Walkable: most errands can be done on foot.
- 50 to 69, Somewhat Walkable: some errands can be done on foot.
- 0 to 49, Car-Dependent: most errands need a car.
The score is for one address, not a whole neighbourhood. Always check the exact home you are considering.
Is Unionville walkable?
The historic core is. At 156 Main Street Unionville, the Walk Score is 92, a Walker's Paradise. Cafes, restaurants, shops, the library and Toogood Pond are all within a few minutes on foot. Head a few blocks away and scores drop into the 60s, then the 50s near Highway 7 and Kennedy Road.
Homes and townhomes within walking distance of Main Street are scarce and rarely sit long. See current pricing on the Unionville home values page.
Is Old Markham Village walkable?
Yes, and it may be Markham's best value for walkability. At Highway 7 and Main Street, the Walk Score is 89. North along Main Street you will find restaurants, cafes, banks and shops, with Markham GO Station right on the strip. VIVA Purple rapid buses run along Highway 7.
Heritage homes, newer townhomes and boutique condos all sit within a short walk of Main Street. Learn more about buying a home in Markham Village.
Can you live in Downtown Markham without a car?
Many residents do. Downtown Markham, around Enterprise Boulevard and Water Walk Drive, is rated Very Walkable. Restaurants, a grocery store, a cinema, the YMCA and York University's Markham campus are close by. VIVA rapid transit runs on Highway 7, and Unionville GO is nearby for trips to Union Station.
This is the strongest choice for condo buyers who want a car-light life. Compare buildings in the Markham condo guide.
Is Cornell walkable?
Cornell was planned as a New Urbanist community, with homes close to the sidewalk, rear laneways and garages behind the houses. That design makes evening walks pleasant and streets feel connected. Daily errands still need a car for most addresses, so Walk Scores vary by street.
Cornell's trail access is excellent, and Markham Stouffville Hospital is on its doorstep. See Cornell home values for recent sales.
Which Markham neighbourhoods are near a GO station?
The GO Stouffville line runs north through Markham, with stations at Unionville, Centennial, Markham (in Old Markham Village) and Mount Joy. The VIVA Purple rapid bus runs east and west along Highway 7, linking Downtown Markham, Unionville and Old Markham Village.
Living within walking distance of a station gives you a car-free route to downtown Toronto, which many buyers value even if they only commute twice a week.
Does walkability raise home values in Markham?
Walkable pockets in Markham are small, so demand often outpaces supply. That can support pricing and shorten selling time, especially for townhomes and condos near Main Street Unionville and Old Markham Village. But walkability is one factor among many. Lot size, condition and price strategy still matter more for most detached homes.
Downsizers in particular often trade square footage for walkability. Our downsizing in Markham guide covers where to move and what it costs.
Frequently asked questions
Is Markham a walkable city?
Not overall. Markham's citywide average Walk Score is 35, which means most of the city is car-dependent. Walkable pockets include Main Street Unionville, Old Markham Village and Downtown Markham.
What is the most walkable neighbourhood in Markham?
Main Street Unionville. 156 Main Street Unionville has a Walk Score of 92, which Walk Score calls a Walker's Paradise. Old Markham Village follows closely with 89 at Highway 7 and Main Street.
Can you live in Markham without a car?
Yes, in a few areas. Downtown Markham and the cores of Unionville and Old Markham Village let you handle most errands on foot, with VIVA rapid buses and GO trains for longer trips.
Which Markham neighbourhoods have GO train stations?
The GO Stouffville line has Markham stations at Unionville, Centennial, Markham (in Old Markham Village) and Mount Joy.
Is Cornell, Markham walkable?
Cornell was designed as a walkable New Urbanist community with homes close to the sidewalk and rear laneways. Walks feel pleasant, but most daily errands still need a car, so scores vary by street.
Does walkability affect home prices in Markham?
It can. Walkable pockets are small, so well-priced homes near Main Street Unionville and Old Markham Village often attract strong demand. Condition, size and pricing strategy still play a bigger role for most homes.
Talk to a Markham REALTOR® who knows these streets
Want a home where you can walk to coffee and the train? Michael John Lau can show you the streets that truly deliver it, and the ones that only look close on a map.
Call (416) 700-0286Free home evaluationKeep reading
Sources
- Walk Score: 156 Main Street Unionville
- Walk Score: Highway 7 and Main Street Markham
- Walk Score: 555 South Unionville Avenue
- Walk Score methodology
Information is accurate to the best of our knowledge as of October 7, 2026 and may change. Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract.