Affordable cities with mass transit?

[Synopsis]

Originally Posted by Jimrob1

You can live car free in Portland. It most certainly can be done. There is extensive light rail, streetcars, and buses here. The problem is one may not want to live or could afford to live in some of the more practical areas of the city to have this kind of life. Not everyone is geared to live in downtown Portland for a number of reasons. Not everyone wants to live along the areas in close proximity to the light rail either. Its what one can afford and is comfortable in a city when they will depend solely on Public Transport. Portland is probably one of the cheaper cities that has extensive transit, however it is not an inexpensive city to live in. Quite frankly so much of this country, puts absolutely no interest into public transport in major cities. The lack of it as far as I am concerned has become ignorant and a disgrace. So if one is comfortable with the neighborhoods they have here in Portland, then this is a city you can live without a car.

My vote would be Portland as well. I know other cities have extensive light rail, but Portland is probably the safest of those cities. If I'm going to have to rely on public transport, I want to be in a safe city; Philly just doesn't come across as a safe city to me.

[Duderino]

Originally Posted by Synopsis

My vote would be Portland as well. I know other cities have extensive light rail, but Portland is probably the safest of those cities. If I'm going to have to rely on public transport, I want to be in a safe city; Philly just doesn't come across as a safe city to me.

Speaking for some neighborhoods, you'd certainly be right (most notably, North Philly and West Philly, where much of the violent crime is concentrated). However, the OP should definitely not rule out Philadelphia with Center City as an attractive option for car-less living at the fraction of the cost of other Northeastern cities. Philadelphia's transit system (SEPTA) is one of the oldest and most comprehensive in the country -- very similar to Boston's "T." Additionally, should you need a car, there is a car share program (PhillyCarShare) that has gained a lot of popularity.

Also, the downtown section of the city is as safe as you'd find in any other major city. This map from 2007 illustrates my point:

Violent-Crime Rates in 2007 | Philadelphia Inquirer | 02/01/2008


Good Luck!

[EclecticEars]

Look into Cleveland, Atlanta, Dallas, Buffalo, Portland

[Newarkbomb]

Newark, NJ.. but i guess you'd want it to be safe along with cheap right?

Cant say NYC, manhattan is the only boro you could be totally free of car but it's a like a dollar a minute to live there. but the other 4 may not be a good choice to leave your car behind.

Boston probably would be your best shot.

[EclecticEars]

Originally Posted by Newarkbomb

Boston probably would be your best shot.

Safe, but not cheap.

[backdrifter]

Originally Posted by danco

Seattle for sure, in fact my son sold his car.
He lives in capital hill and works downtown.
Most days he just walks or uses the city's extensive,
reliable and affordable mass transit. Of course good old
dad is always there when camping season kicks in.

Seattle isn't an affordable city, and outside of the city proper the public transit isn't as good.

I live in Portland without a car and I wouldn't say it's affordable, but definitely more so than somewhere like Seattle.