Living in Dallas without a car (renting, employment, school)

[aceplace]

The subject has come up before, and there are mixed opinions. Some people say life in Dallas is impossible without one, a few point to DART rail and bus as alternative transportation

This is the 25th anniversary of the DART system, and they have written an article about people who have given up their cars. Perhaps they had one accident too many, or perhaps the price of gas is an issue. For whatever reason, they've become carless. Here is their story.

Dallas Area Rapid Transit Inmotion - Summer 2008

[malone7384]

I actually did live in the Dallas area without a car for a year. Didn't really miss it that much except when I had to do a large grocery store trip. That was back before you could get groceries delivered. Now I would just have the brought to me.

It wasn't too bad. I took public transportation anywhere I wanted to go. Got in some nice walking in between.

If a city has a good transportation system, I think you could get away without a car with very little problems.

[killer2021]

I've researched it as well. Dallas is a big city and a lot more space compared to other cities like NY or LA. In NY or La there are a lot of bike paths and sidewalks. From what I've seen in google earth, depending on where you live, there will be no bike path or even a sidewalk! You could always just ride your bike on the grass/side of streets but that does get a little dangerous especially if you are going over a bridge where the emergency lane is very small. Then again, I am not even sure if that is legal to do lol.

When I move to Dallas I am planning on riding a bike to work at least 4 days a week depending on weather. Then again I will be renting close to my employment area so it shouldn't be that big of a deal.

[aceplace]

Originally Posted by killer2021

I've researched it as well. Dallas is a big city and a lot more space compared to other cities like NY or LA. In NY or La there are a lot of bike paths and sidewalks. From what I've seen in google earth, depending on where you live, there will be no bike path or even a sidewalk! You could always just ride your bike on the grass/side of streets but that does get a little dangerous especially if you are going over a bridge where the emergency lane is very small. Then again, I am not even sure if that is legal to do lol.

When I move to Dallas I am planning on riding a bike to work at least 4 days a week depending on weather. Then again I will be renting close to my employment area so it shouldn't be that big of a deal.

No, I don't see the Los Angeles as bike path heaven. Far from it. European cities such as Amsterdam, with bike paths cut into the middle of their 15 foot sidewalks is more likke it.

In Dallas, there are some extensive bike paths, and if you live close to them, which is feasible, you will bike to work. An alternative is to use the DART rail connection, which allows bikes on the trains, to make your connections from your residential path to your destination path.

If you want to ride your bike to work in the Dallas area,

[pepper131]

Joe Bob Briggs wrote an article a couple of years ago detailing Dart in D Magazine Aug 2006 called "Get on the Bus".

The link was to long for me to post; not sure how to shorten it.

[Edward_from_Dallas]

Originally Posted by pepper131

The link was to long for me to post; not sure how to shorten it.

Try this:

http://tinyurl.com/

[pepper131]

http://tinyurl.com/6jvnfg

Thanks, Edward!

[loves2read]

not saying that is impossible life style--heck I sometimes think if the guys in Washington dc with the limos were forced to ride public transportation then everyone would have better transport system...

but don't you also have to have more flexibility with time/obligations and money for cabs if there are emergency situations to deal with?

[loves2read]

my second question is
has the food vendor situation at Dallas DART stops gotten any better since Joe Bob's article
cause if they have not--I sense an entrepeneur's dream situation
captive audiences...low startup...

[Lakewooder]

I have known people to live with out a car around here. I had one teacher who took a taxi to school every day. One lived across the street and several others walked. My car does not usually leave the driveway on weekends. It's a 1/3 of a mile walk to just about everything except a grocery store but Whole Foods will be opening early next year. I use Cowboy Cab if I am going out. It costs about the price of a couple of drinks each way. I haven't used this but people seem to like it:

DART.org - DART On-Call