Good areas to live without a car in Southern California (Long Beach: rent, how much)

[Chava61]

In which areas is it possible to get around and live without a car in Southern California?

[SportyandMisty]

In Southern California, if you live here or here or here or here you don't need a car to get around.

You won't need a car if you live here, either.

[Chava61]

Originally Posted by SportyandMisty

In Southern California, if you live here or here or here or here you don't need a car to get around.

You won't need a car if you live here, either.

I asked a real question. Your answer is not helpful.

[ferretkona]

Originally Posted by Chava61

I asked a real question. Your answer is not helpful.

Your real question does not really have a real answer.

Here in CA the state is not pedestrian or mass transit friendly.

SportyandMisty probably was flippant as this is the second most asked question in the CA forums next to "Where can I rent a SAFE, CHEAP BEACH house for $400"
My brother in law rented in Sacramento for 30 years with no auto. He still had to borrow vehicles time to time so that nulls that thought.
Long Beach could almost be doable as they do have a startup of train working. As long as you live like a hermit and just wander out for groceries and work Long Beach could work. But that is not really living is it?

[LASam]

Santa Monica has excellent public transit via their Big Blue Bus system, and will be getting connected to downtown LA eventually thanks to the Expo rail line.

[Chava61]

So am I correct that it is possible to live without a car in certain areas in the Greater L.A. area?

[1200RT]

Originally Posted by Chava61

I asked a real question. Your answer is not helpful.

it was pretty funny though.

[1200RT]

Originally Posted by Chava61

So am I correct that it is possible to live without a car in certain areas in the Greater L.A. area?

Yes, you can technically live anywhere in the world without a car.

Now, if your question is "can I enjoy life living in LA without a car", it simply comes down to your ability adapt, and how much freedom you wish to give up to make this sacrifice. Personally, I would not want to live without a car [anywhere in the world], but thousands of people do it every day in LA. Some on this forum will argue that LA public transportation in 100% adequate. Some argue the inverse.

To answer your *simple* question with a *simple* answer, yes, it is possible to live in some areas of LA without a car, and get by perfectly fine.

If you would like to provide more details, you will get a more detailed answer - where your job will be, how many miles your commute will be, how many lines of public transportation you'll need to take to get to your destination, etc.

[Steve97415]

Originally Posted by 1200RT

it was pretty funny though.

Especially if your level of emotional maturity never made it past that of 10-year old.

It's true that Glorification of the Holy Car is California's unofficial state religion, so making fun of those lemmings who aren't running toward the cliff is great sport for those who are. The State and her citizens are in deep denial about Peak Oil and are doing very little in terms of planning for a transportation future with the reality of $10-a-gallon gas.

That said, some places are much, much more bike-friendly than others. The best is probably SLO (which isn't really in southern California, though it's close). Long Beach, Thousand Oaks and newer parts of Irvine would be some other contenders. BTW, there's much more to southern California than the Greater L.A. area.

[1200RT]

Originally Posted by Steve97415

Especially if your level of emotional maturity never made it past that of 10-year old.

It's true that Glorification of the Holy Car is California's unofficial state religion. The State and her citizens are in deep denial about Peak Oil and are doing very little in terms of planning for a transportation future with the reality of $10-a-gallon gas.

That said, some places are much, much more bike-friendly than others. The best is probably SLO (which isn't really in southern California, though it's close). Long Beach, Thousand Oaks and newer parts of Irvine would be some other contenders.

This is an online message board and I would argue that people taking it too seriously lack emotional maturity past that of a 10-year old.

Furthermore, those who ask questions like the one in this thread, without a shred of research on their own (bus/train maps, routes, etc) share the internet search capabilities of a 10 year old.