The US has a lot of places that are car-dependent. You can live in walkable areas, but those can also have much higher cost of living. Where did you end up on that spectrum for where you live right now?
The US has a lot of places that are car-dependent. You can live in walkable areas, but those can also have much higher cost of living. Where did you end up on that spectrum for where you live right now?
I live in Chicago, and have for over two decades. I have never owned a car here.
Within one block of my house, I have a nice playground park, a public library, one major and one minor bus route, and a great K-8 public school.
Withing two blocks I have a supermarket, a health clinic, two convenience stores, several fast food options including small independent shops, and a great highschool.
Within half a mile I have a coffeeshop, another elementary school with a gifted program, commuter rail to the suburbs, a brewpub, a public pool with a waterslide, and two more major bus routes one of which takes me straight to work and the other takes me to the Korean supermarket with the steamed bun stand.
Within a mile I have a two bakeries, a wine bar, a pharmacy, two large parks each with free preschool and playgrounds, another public pool, light rail into the city, a hospital, and another major bus route.
I commute by bicycle and Chicago is flat as hell. My route to work is fully along bike lanes, about forty percent of that protected by a concrete curb and another forty percent on a beautiful side street along the train track embankment covered in murals.
Cost of living? My house is 1050sf and cost $102K. I earn $55-60K annully and support a family of five on that. Without the cost of a car, it’s easy.