Third Places, Walkable Access, and Neighborhood Satisfaction Among Older Adults

Background Neighborhood satisfaction is a key indicator of well-being and community quality of life, yet its relationship with third place engagement remains underexplored. Objective This study examines how third place engagement, access, and perceived built environments relate to physical livability, social connectedness, and overall neighborhood satisfaction among older adults. Methods Survey data were collected from 515 adults aged 65 and older in the Orlando area, and separate Ordinary Least Squares regression models were used. Results The results indicate that neighborhood satisfaction is multidimensional, with shared yet distinct correlates across domains. Third place engagement and walkable access were consistently associated with all three outcomes. Socially oriented third place use was more closely tied to social connectedness, while built environment quality aligned with physical livability. Overall satisfaction reflected both domains, highlighting the value of viewing neighborhood satisfaction as related but distinct constructs shaped by functional and social experiences among older adults.