My 15-Minute City

At 75, I’m one of the lucky ones. I can still drive pretty much anywhere I need to go. But that doesn’t mean I want to drive everywhere I have to go. Any time I can reduce the amount of driving in my life, I’m all for it.

A few years ago, I read about a movement gaining traction in the Netherlands — people were rethinking how they lived in cities, looking for ways to stay active and independent without depending so heavily on cars. That idea stuck with me. As we age, the stress of distance driving doesn’t get easier. Between errands, medical appointments, groceries, and trying to maintain a social life, driving long distances every day becomes more of a chore than a freedom.

So when I moved to Pasadena in 2022, I made a decision: I was going to implement my own version of the “15-minute city.” The concept is pretty simple — build your daily life around a tight, manageable radius where your essential needs are all within a 15-minute drive, walk, bike ride, or public transit ride. No hour-long commutes. No sitting in traffic for a bag of groceries. Just a more connected, more livable way to exist in the city.

Over that first year, I worked at shaping my 15-minute city. I took a look around and started mapping it out — where could I go easily, and what did I still need to reach? I found six good grocery stores within a two-mile radius. One major store is just three blocks from my apartment. My primary care doctor, specialists, and the medical facilities I rely on are all within a 15-minute drive — most of them closer. The Pasadena Village, where I stay connected with peers and community events, is a quick 9-minute drive. Washington Park, one of the city’s loveliest green spaces, is just four blocks away. I can get in a couple of miles walking the neighborhood and park then work out on Washington Park's brand new adult exercise equipment. 

Now, I’m not saying urban life is without its challenges. Pasadena is a busy, active city, and navigating it sometimes takes patience. But I’ve developed a system that works. A combination of walking, public transportation, ride-sharing, biking, and yes, still driving when needed — it’s all part of the balance. I don’t need to eliminate my car, but I no longer feel dependent on it. And that makes a difference.

I’m encouraged to see other cities exploring this idea. Paris, Ottawa, and even Los Angeles have made public commitments to creating 15-minute neighborhoods — not just as a nice idea, but as a necessary evolution in how we build and live in urban environments. In Ottawa, they’ve already approved a plan to shape future neighborhoods around the concept, preparing for population growth while aiming to improve everyday livability.

The beauty of the 15-minute city is that it’s rooted in common sense: keep essential services close to where people live. That includes everything from groceries and healthcare to education and green spaces. It promotes walking and biking. It builds community by encouraging social interaction. It reduces stress, saves time, and supports sustainability. What’s not to like?

There’s a certain freedom that comes with knowing you can live well without going far. For someone my age, that’s no small thing. It’s not about shrinking your world — it’s about enriching it by staying connected to the places and people that matter, right in your own neighborhood.

I’ve found a way to navigate the landscape of Pasadena that keeps me active, independent, and engaged — all within my 15-minute city. And I think that’s something worth sharing.