Denver without driving? (neighborhoods, to buy, taxi)

[Lior Arel]

Hey Denverians! I've narrowed my search of places to move to a few cities and Denver is one of them. I have a question. I don't drive, I can't drive. I prefer to live downtown, so the suburbs are not an issue for me, but is Denver doable without driving?

Thanks. I'm excited about a possible move to Denver as it seems to have alot to offer.

[2bindenver]

Only you know about your work, play, type of housing you want/need....but my guess that with our bus system & light rail and taxi service...it is possible to get wherever you'd like without a car.

[Lior Arel]

Thanks. Someone here at my office just told me that if I can do Tampa without driving, Denver will feel like a breeze

[livecontent]

I started a thread, http://www.city-data.com/forum/denve...ng-denver.html

Check it out, we have a great transportation system.

There are so many questions of not owning a car in Denver, Perhaps the moderator will make this a sticky.

[NiB]

I may accept a temporary job at the airport through the winter. Would it be possible and economical to take the bus. I would like to leave my car here. I have done a little research and the skyride thing would be too expensive to do only a daily basis. Are there other options? thanks

[cowboyxjon]

It looks like the 169L bus also goes to the airport. This is different from SkyRide and would be the regular bus fare, as far as I know ($4 per day per round trip). You could live somewhere along that route and commute to DIA via that bus, maybe?

I would check with RTD to verify first but it looks like it could be an option. I've never used this bus.

[livecontent]

Originally Posted by NiB

I may accept a temporary job at the airport through the winter. Would it be possible and economical to take the bus. I would like to leave my car here. I have done a little research and the skyride thing would be too expensive to do only a daily basis. Are there other options? thanks

Many Jobs, if not all, provide, assistance for the RTD service at the airport. You need to check with your employer. Many employers enroll in the Eco-Pass program where you will be provided a free pass for the bus, or a reduced price to buy a pass.

Livecontent

[80skeys]

It's do-able without driving if you live downtown and are able to bike around. Otherwise, it's difficult. Public transportation exists, but in many cases won't get you within a few blocks of where you need to go.

[livecontent]

Downtown is not the only area where you can live and have good transportation. There are many neighborhoods in Denver and the Suburbs that are good places to live without a car.

If you say downtown is the only place, then you must also say anywhere that you can get quickly and frequently to downtown is just as good. You can live near any of the rail stations and be in downtown. So, the neighborhoods around the stations are essential an extension of Downtown, or Downtown is an extension of your local station. In fact, living near one station means that all the neighborhoods, stores and shops around all the other stations become an extension of your neighborhood.

The same can be said for frequently run buses along Broadway, East and West Colfax. You have also some Park n' Rides that are served all day and night by buses. A good example is the I-36 corridor with the B Bus to Downtown.

Yes, it is very true that public transit cannot serve all destinations and may require some additional walking. When I was younger, it was not a problem. Now, that I am older and have some mobility problems, it is more difficult. However, that is where choices of needs and wants come into play. You can adjust your needs and wants and make different choices.

Yea, I know, our whole lives revolve the freedom of the car and we can go anywhere at anytime. It is difficult to adjust to some restrictions. Some of us have to adjust, because we cannot afford a car; we cannot drive a car because of disability and/or age; or some of us have made the choice of a different freedom. The freedom from the an automobile centered culture. The freedom to see the city at the pedestrian level and on a bicycle. The freedom from the constant demands of an automobile. The freedom to pollute less. The freedom to live a simpler and slower lifestyle.

Yes, I know this is a pedantic sermon and I, myself, have not let go of the addiction of the automobile. I now am approaching less than 2500 miles a year in driving but still have not totally given it up. I will be forced to one day, by age, my deteriorating health and affordability. I am trying to adapt all my needs and wants because the day will come soon, when I will not have the choice--I will be car free.

Livecontent

[FrozenShores]

Well put Livecontent. I kinda felt like Sobo was an extension of my 16th street neighborhood via the 0 bus. However when you live on 16th St. virtually everywhere in Denver is an extension of your neighborhood.

To the OP, year round bicycle commuting IS possible in Denver and can many times be as fast or faster than a car. Check out this Denver Cycling blog for the details: another year of bike commuting

When I lived in Denver, I found car free living to be incredibly efficient. Of course the cold was tough to handle for a 7 year Floridian, but it beat riding a bike in torrential rain and thunderstorms.

I lurk so often on this forum dreaming of the day I can move back...