They didn't say walking was "impossible" just "disincentivized" which I'd have to agree with. A majority of the housing developments I've seen go up in the Bay

They didn't say walking was "impossible" just "disincentivized" which I'd have to agree with. A majority of the housing developments I've seen go up in the Bay Area put you several miles, at least, from any shopping. Your friends probably live way farther away than that. So you've got nowhere to "walk to", for a purpose. Sure it's probably walkable in so far as their are slow streets and sidewalks - but you have to walk for the sake of walking vs walking for destination hence "disincentivized". I go for a 30mn walk everyday in my neighborhood in the 'Burbs. It totally can be done, but just in the modern "go go go" society. Most people want walking to at least be a means to an end. And yes, I mean a directly "right here, right now" end, not "being health".