Obviously, not even an ideal community could offer to respondents all the features they said were important to them. When asked specifically about the tradeoffs they would make when choosing where to live, large majorities of Americans opt for open space over convenience, with 70 percent saying they would select a community with houses built farther apart even if they had to drive to stores and restaurants. However, they are less likely to want to trade a shorter commute for a larger lot size. Survey respondents were almost evenly split over choosing a large lot with a commute of 45 minutes or more, or opting for a smaller house with a shorter commute time.

Women and African Americans were more likely to opt for the community with a shorter commute and houses closer together, while men and whites tended to want the large lot size even if it meant a longer commute.

Whatever their aspirations for community life, survey respondents generally expressed satisfaction with where they actually lived, with 70 percent saying that the last time they moved they found the type of community they were looking for, and 30 percent having settled for a second or third choice. Sizeable segments of Americans, however, find their current communities lacking in essential aspects, and their dissatisfaction holds important implications for policy as developers, retailers, and town planners continue trying to offer people what they want.

As Figure 6 shows, substantial numbers of survey respondents were not satisfied with the choice of available housing in their communities. Half said there was too little housing for people with low incomes, and four in ten thought there was too little housing for people of moderate incomes. Nearly half wanted to see more public transportation within walking distance and more places to bike, and at least four in ten thought there should be more shops or restaurants within walking distance and more places to walk or exercise for fun.

Among the most critical of their communities were African American respondents, large majorities of whom said there was too little housing for people with low and moderate incomes, places to bike and walk, parks and playgrounds, and shops or restaurants to walk to.

The public does feel there is an overabundance of some things in their communities. Four in ten respondents said there was too much housing for people with high incomes, and a third thought too many new houses and apartments were being built.