Living in Austin without a car? (shop, grocery, proximity)

[EzPeterson]

FYI, the OP is a single male. Have a feeling grocery shopping isn't super high on the list.

[LiveUrban]

Originally Posted by passionatearts

I'm going to go against what a lot of people have posted here and tell you that it's not a good idea to come to Austin without a car, regardless of where you live in Austin. Here are several reasons why:

1) Austin doesn't have the density and public transportation infrastructure of a city like Boston or New York, where it's relatively easy to get around without a vehicle. For example, my girlfriend doesn't have a car and lives in the Far West area only about 2.5 miles from her work in Central Austin, and it still takes an hour or more to get to work by bus. Sure, you can live in a denser area like the UT campus, but what if you need to go shopping in another part of town? Do you really want to spend 2 hours on a bus to go 6 miles?

All of the basic necessities are within walking, biking, and bus distance of the UT Campus area. Grocery stores, UPS store, pharmacies, bike shops, restaurants/coffee shops, parks, etc. Downtown is also within proximity.

Where did you get the 2 hour number from? Yeah to get to some quiet area that no one knows about it might take a long time because the bus doesn't serve every single inch of Austin. However all of the main areas of Austin that people go to are served by direct routes. You can hop on the 1M bus on The Drag and head directly to South Congress Avenue.

In addition you can get to the Domain in North Austin from UT fairly easily on the 3 Burnet bus. It takes about 35 minutes to get there, around 10 miles. Be aware that this bus travels through high-traffic areas where there are numerous stop lights as well as bus stops. That is why it takes 35 minutes. It doesn't go on the highway.

When the MetroRapid system (bus rapid transit system) comes along in 2014, ride times on these main routes will be cut greatly due to limited stops and ability of bus drivers to change lights. http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...41934586,d.b2I

In terms of housing, you can check this website to see apartments that are located on or near the UT Shuttle as well as Cap Metro bus routes.
UT Austin Apartments, Student Apartments on UT Shuttle, Austin TX Apartments, Apartment Locator, UT Austin Housing Near Campus

[tallahasseehero1]

Originally Posted by EzPeterson

FYI, the OP is a single male. Have a feeling grocery shopping isn't super high on the list.

Haha! This is very true.

[tallahasseehero1]

Originally Posted by LiveUrban

All of the basic necessities are within walking, biking, and bus distance of the UT Campus area. Grocery stores, UPS store, pharmacies, bike shops, restaurants/coffee shops, parks, etc. Downtown is also within proximity.

Where did you get the 2 hour number from? Yeah to get to some quiet area that no one knows about it might take a long time because the bus doesn't serve every single inch of Austin. However all of the main areas of Austin that people go to are served by direct routes. You can hop on the 1M bus on The Drag and head directly to South Congress Avenue.

In addition you can get to the Domain in North Austin from UT fairly easily on the 3 Burnet bus. It takes about 35 minutes to get there, around 10 miles. Be aware that this bus travels through high-traffic areas where there are numerous stop lights as well as bus stops. That is why it takes 35 minutes. It doesn't go on the highway.

When the MetroRapid system (bus rapid transit system) comes along in 2014, ride times on these main routes will be cut greatly due to limited stops and ability of bus drivers to change lights. http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...41934586,d.b2I

In terms of housing, you can check this website to see apartments that are located on or near the UT Shuttle as well as Cap Metro bus routes.
UT Austin Apartments, Student Apartments on UT Shuttle, Austin TX Apartments, Apartment Locator, UT Austin Housing Near Campus

Thank you, that map is great. UT seems to have an extensive shuttle service. I know some people complain about costs of housing in Austin but compared to some cities Ive been looking at, such as Boston, Austin seems relatively affordable. Great to hear Austin is creating a BRT system.

[LiveUrban]

Originally Posted by tallahasseehero1

Thank you, that map is great. UT seems to have an extensive shuttle service. I know some people complain about costs of housing in Austin but compared to some cities Ive been looking at, such as Boston, Austin seems relatively affordable. Great to hear Austin is creating a BRT system.

You're welcome. I'm really excited about the BRT system!

If you have any other questions about UT or Austin, feel free to contact me. I'm a UT undegrad.

[zilam98]

excited about the BRT as well. maybe once i get my greencard, i could move back to austin, live close to where most BRT routes would be, and not have to be concerned with having to drive around all the time.

[CptnRn]

Originally Posted by EzPeterson

FYI, the OP is a single male. Have a feeling grocery shopping isn't super high on the list.

Can you still buy egg rolls on the drag? If so then what more could he need?

[tallahasseehero1]

It looks like the BRT will be really helpful to UT students it seems to run right past neighborhoods like Hyde Park.

[veloman777]

Originally Posted by EzPeterson

FYI, the OP is a single male. Have a feeling grocery shopping isn't super high on the list.

Are you insinuating that grocery shopping is difficult without a car?

I am a single male so yeah, grocery shopping is easier than if I had a big family to feed. But I eat a lot, and much of it is groceries. Once a week I go to HEB on my bike. I have one full reusable bag of groceries. I walk 50 feet out the front door and put in my basket, takes about 5 seconds to secure. I then bike home with barely noticing the 30lb bag there. Well, my bike is electric assisted, so it's easier. But nothing too hard about pedaling a grocery bag home.

They also have cargo bikes now - you can easily fit 4 size grocery bags on one and it's very stable. So much for not being able to shop for the family.

[MtnLion512]

Originally Posted by veloman777

Are you insinuating that grocery shopping is difficult without a car?

I am a single male so yeah, grocery shopping is easier than if I had a big family to feed. But I eat a lot, and much of it is groceries. Once a week I go to HEB on my bike. I have one full reusable bag of groceries. I walk 50 feet out the front door and put in my basket, takes about 5 seconds to secure. I then bike home with barely noticing the 30lb bag there. Well, my bike is electric assisted, so it's easier. But nothing too hard about pedaling a grocery bag home.

They also have cargo bikes now - you can easily fit 4 size grocery bags on one and it's very stable. So much for not being able to shop for the family.

I'm a married male and we still get the groceries by bike! Two bikes with double panniers can hold a ton of food. Always interesting trying to Tetris everything in the bags Sure beats fighting for a parking spot at CM.