In a country dominated by cars, some Americans choose to live without one. Guardian readers across the US shared their experiences of getting around by foot, bike, or public transit, detailing both the benefits and the significant challenges.
Los Angeles: A Test of Car-Free Living
Ellen moved from New York to Los Angeles and decided not to own a car as a test. Five years later, she has no plans to buy one. Despite the stereotype that driving is essential in LA, she notes that many people get around without cars. However, she finds public transit frustrating, describing it as "all over the place." She combines biking and train travel, which takes 45 minutes to an hour to get to work, compared to up to an hour and a half without her bike. She also highlights the fentanyl crisis affecting public transit, with drug-addicted individuals riding late at night. Ellen faces cultural bias against not driving, often lying to avoid judgment. She has reorganized her social habits around her location, using carpools and services like Metrolink for longer trips.
Chicago: World-Class Transit but Aging Infrastructure
Nathaniel Knize, a librarian from Chicago, relies solely on public transport and walking. He avoids biking due to safety and theft concerns. He uses the CTA for commuting, social events, and appointments, sometimes taking up to 10 trips per day. While he considers Chicago's transit world-class, traveling out of town is challenging, often requiring rides from family. He notes that metro systems were designed for commuters, not for visiting loved ones. On vacation, he only visits cities with metro systems and is struck by how old Chicago's stations feel compared to those in Rio, Paris, and Toronto.
Oakland: One of the Best Car-Free Cities in the US
Enzo Mthethwa, a train conductor in Oakland, travels by Lyft bike, Bart, or bus. He considers Oakland one of the best US cities for car-free living, though it pales compared to global cities with more frequent rail. Early Sunday shifts are problematic because Bart opens at 8am, forcing him to take expensive Ubers or Lyfts. He believes transit should serve all people at all times. Having grown up in Florida, he appreciates the walkability of his current area and finds the concept of not needing a car intriguing.
La Crosse, Wisconsin: Living Without a Car Takes Planning
Kevin Ducey, a college teacher, hasn't owned a car since 2004. He bikes for three seasons and uses the bus or walks in winter. He faces skepticism from others who find it unusual not to drive. The bus service runs every 30 minutes on weekdays until 5:30pm, then hourly until 10pm, with limited weekend service. Intercity bus services have declined, making regional travel difficult without renting a car, which has tripled in price since Covid. Ducey notes that the city has neglected alternative transportation, such as ferries or water taxis on the Mississippi River.
Boston: Harder to Own a Car Than Not
Sam Haiken, a university researcher, uses trains and buses for work. She finds owning a car in Boston more burdensome due to financial stress, limited parking, and winter snow. Growing up in New York, she is accustomed to car-free living, but friends from car-dependent areas struggle with the concept. However, Boston's public transit is unreliable due to old infrastructure with frequent signal, track, and train issues. She notes that fixing it requires significant time and money, which are lacking.
Oakland to Livermore: A Long Commute Without a Car
Dominic Ross, a scientist in Oakland, commutes to Livermore by walking or biking to the train, then taking a connecting bus, totaling 1.5 to 2 hours each way. He uses Bart and buses to visit his partner and run errands. He desires more dedicated bus infrastructure, as his bus has only four trips daily, limiting flexibility. Growing up in Ohio's suburbs, he is grateful for his current options but finds it difficult to access nature and do things spontaneously. He worries that transit deficits could worsen, potentially forcing him to buy a car.
These stories highlight that while living without a car in the US is possible, it requires significant planning, flexibility, and often a willingness to face social and infrastructural challenges.
