Working/living in LA without a car?

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Ryan T

It is possible, but not altogether fun. I chose to leave my car at my parents house 2 hours away because the parking in my neighborhood is horrendous and gas was so expensive.

My advice would be to find buses that go by your school or work and look for housing along that line. Getting a bike, scooter, or motorcycle will open up more of the city to you, although it's still hard to do any major grocery shopping.

Honestly though, not having a car has saved a LOT of stress since I dont have to drive in traffic jams or cruise for miles looking for parking (most affordable studios or apartments in good areas do not provide parking). Since I'm in a long distance relationship, I don't need a way to go out every night, and am perfectly content staying in my neighborhood.

It would help to live in a walkable neighborhood, a few of those being Westwood, West Hollywood, Santa Monica, or Brentwood.

Not having a car = less stress, less fun.

Good luck.

Oldwhiteguy2earth

Possible. You would want to live near a Metro line and a major grocery store. Or have a lot of friends with cars.

mobilemark

I live in LA since I was 16 and I'm 52 and I have nerved need a car
I use my bicycle and /or the bus for transportation
so I find it okay to live in LA without a car and boy no speeding tickets
no insurance no upkeep, no parking tickets either
and i get to park my bike inside my apartment
thats kind to to park your car IN your apartment! :)

JayPetey

Totally. I lived in California this summer and was impressed with their bus/subway system. LA Metro is one of the best in the country and is really cheap. Once you get it down, it's easy.

Jon = Deaf Man!

Why? Yes it is possible.... I live in a city that nearby my school, work, grocery store, mall, everything that is less than ten minutes walk to get there.

Keep in mind that depends on the city you're looking at, it may or may not be convenience, but generally its not without a car due to the fact that LA is way spread out.

Your Friendly Jewish Accountant

I don't have a car going on two years now and I have never missed it, especially on street sweeping day.

Cory B

I did it for about a year so I would say yeah it is very possible. L.A. has a very good public transportation system. And depending on where you are in town some of the grocery strores offer shuttle rides home(mainly near downtown)

http://metro.net

Obviousman

It's possible, but it's a major pain in the butt.Unlike San Francisco, LA is MUCH more spread out, and does not have a great public transit system. It does have metro, but the busses are subject to the same laws of physics as all those cars: Two objects cannot be in the same place at the same time, so you have traffic. So the bus system is slow an inefficient.

IF you live close to one of the light rail lines or subway, and happen to have a job that is close to the aforementioned rail lines, then it can be done. For example, I take the train from my home in the OC to Burbank. There are some condos right by the RR station in Fullerton, where I get on. There are also other complexes like this, such as some in Universal City. There are grocery stores and restaurants nearby, so it can be done. However, it takes a lot of planning and work, and a little luck.

Chelsie surf

Yes, in certain parts of the city. Hollywood, downtown, Westwood, Santa Monica would be good.

As long as you are near a metro line you should be fine.

Girl Interrupted

Yes it is. We have public transportation everywhere. Specially the Metro station.

Hughesie

Always got around on the bicycle when I went there on vacation. the drivers are very friendly and considerate of cyclists in LA! Roads like route 66 and sunset blvd in beverly hills are great for cycling!, Its recommended to ride a bicycle in LA but as long as you don't use the freeways cause that is not only dangerous, it is illegal.

slipstreamer

Yes, very. Lots of people do it.

maliboo_girl

It's possible, but you have to consider all your needs when looking for a home, and check out access to public transportation. As long as you live close to work, or on a direct busline, you should be fine, if you're not out in the boonies. Most areas have good neighborhoods if you don't want to have a car.

Santa Monica, West Hollywood, Hollywood, Pasadena, North Hollywood, Glendale, Downtown all have areas that would work.

This website does a walkability score for different neighborhoods, based on distance to surrounding stores, etc.

http://www.walkscore.com/index.shtml

But even if your desired neighborhood isn't walkable, it still might be doable. I live in the hills, rather secluded, but my son's school and my tennis club are less than a 1/2 mile walk, the bus stop is 1/4 mile, and the one bus passes by golf courses, library, a strip mall with supermarket, bank, etc, theatres, restaurants, the metro station (so easy access to downtown), a cute shopping district, various businesses, and Trader Joes, so it's more non-car friendly than it might seem, even though it has a low walkability score.

Some of the major grocery stores deliver - you order online, the charge is about $10, and definitely worth it.

Bus and metro info:
http://www.metro.net

Even if you're without a car for a few months, you'll save a lot in gas, car maintenance and insurance.

Phoenix

Nope. Sorry. LA is just not that kind of city.

kwest

It is hard to live in LA without a car. If you don't have one, live in a good area like Hollywood but even the transit system sucks there. LA is great because Orange county is about 40 minutes a way and there is a lot to see and do. Taking the bus will be impossible. Save up to buy a descent car. There are a lot on Craigslist. Buy two if you can cause if one car goes down, you will need another.

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