Want a foolproof way to pinpoint the most walkable, high-end neighborhoods?
Nick Watts has a strategy for that—one that has gone viral on X.
It’s called The Lululemon Strategy, and it’s as simple as it sounds.
Watts, a frequent traveler, swears by this method to quickly locate upscale neighborhoods in any city.
“Every time I go to a new city, I look up Lululemons on Google Maps and use a process of elimination to find a neighborhood with great walkability and $10 matcha.”
How the Lululemon Strategy Works
- Search for Lululemon locations on Google Maps.
- Ignore the ones in malls. You’re looking for storefront locations in walkable areas with coffee shops, restaurants, and boutique businesses nearby.
- Boom—high-end neighborhood unlocked.
“What we’re looking for are those storefront Lululemons, and that’s where you’re gonna find the bars, restaurants, and a bakery dedicated to f*kin Brookies.”
No solid Lululemon options? No problem. Watts has a backup plan:
“If none of the Lululemons meet the criteria, then I have a back-up. And it’s called the Whole Foods method.”
A quick search for Whole Foods (again, not in a mall)—same upscale hotspot, same walkability.
Here’s the original post that kicked off the conversation:
The Lululemon strategy never fails pic.twitter.com/zj12anf374
— Nick Watts (@NICKWATTS__) March 4, 2025
Does This Matter for Real Estate?
You already know the high-end neighborhoods in your market—but your clients might not.
Buyers relocating from out of town? This is a quick way to get them familiar with the most walkable, amenity-packed areas. Investors looking for appreciation potential? A Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s nearby is often a strong indicator.
BAM previously broke down which grocery chains impact home values:
- Trader Joe’s—Best for long-term equity
- Whole Foods—Upscale buyers’ go-to
- Aldi—Top pick for investors & flippers
Whether it’s a relocating buyer or an investor analyzing trends, retail hotspots tell a story about a neighborhood.
Your next luxury client? They’re probably already sipping an overpriced matcha next to a Lululemon.
