So living in LA car-free really requires patience (Los Angeles, Santa Monica: leases, mover)

[HaemophilusAphrophilus]

Car free in LA is definitely possible and definitely doable though it has constraints

I think the ideal is the hybrid of having a car and using transit. Lots of things where a car would be nice, especially the more naturey stuff and some areas not as well served by transit. However, there are some things where transit is great. And the in between where one would drive to a metro station, park and just take the train the rest of the way

For a vast region with a relatively new system (im not talking historically with the red cars, just the current iteration of MTA) I think the system is great, and I was able to explore A LOT of LA without a car though I am also not one to care if I have to walk extra since I love to walk around anyways. I cant wait till it expands more though-- when more lines are built I think it might have at least some domino effect where MTA will finally make more of a presence. MTA really sucks at promoting themselves though. A good chunk of the general public opinion on what public transportation is like here is stuck like 15 years in the past

[PDF]

What do you (or anyone else) think the effect the completion of the Expo line will have? It's supposed to be up and running to Santa Monica in 2015 or 2016, right?

I'm looking forward to it. LA Live/Downtown LA to Santa Monica in 45(?) minutes. One person here said it will just invite more homeless into the Westside, and that it won't make a difference as everyone will just drive anyway.

I think it will be a good thing, but whether it has a big impact is another question. I'm looking forward to all the improvements Metro makes, whether or not I actually use their services.

The above post hit the nail on the head, it seems like car-lite is a good way to go in LA. However I bet most people just drive all the time because it's so much easier. I could see myself becoming car-lite, but then I might just be tempted to drive all the time.

Still, LA is trying. Some other cities wouldn't put this much effort in.

[jm1982]

I do agree it would be difficult to get around without a car.

I crucial aspect though is what area you live in and where you work.

L.A does have a reputation for sprawl , but it is true there are quite a few areas that are walkable too.

Also since Zipcars were mentioned , I recently noticed that there a are a couple of sites where you can rent cars (or rent out your car ) by the hour or day from individual owners. Kind of an "AirBNB" model for cars..

Getaround - Peer-to-peer car sharing and local car rental

https://relayrides.com/

I guess one advantage might be that you could find a car close to your home versus zipcar. Not sure too much how prices compare, but the prices seemed pretty affordable. It said some cars even have onstar which allows the owner to unlock the car remotely and then you can get the keys from inside.

Not totally sure if I'd want to rent my car out ....but it seems like it could be a possible way to make some extra money if you are on vacation or out of town or something...

Might be fun to rent one for a day or so to try out a convertible or a different kind of car and seems you can probably get different types of cars than you could get through a rental agency.

[Spikett]

Originally Posted by disgruntled la native

As a lifelong resident, I'll give the other view. Not everyone goes out of their way to unusual areas. I've had a car since I could drive, and I've never driven anywhere outside of LA county. Ventura twice for work related stuff. No South Bay (once or twice), no Long Beach. The neighborhood I live in now, everything I need is walkable (this applies to much of West LA, West Hollywood, Hollywood, Koreatown, Downtown, even parts of Santa Monica).

I wouldn't waste leisure time driving around neighborhoods for no reason. True, some unusual ethnic cuisine may only be reachable by car, but a variant of it will be walking or bus distance.

The only reason I personally hesitate to give up a car is work. If you solely rely on public transit, depending on your field, your access to jobs can get very limited or very frustrating (like 3 transfers and 3 hours). Everything is you don't need a car for here.

I can't imagine this at all - in LA or anywhere else. But I really like to drive. When I'm in Tennessee I go for drives in the country all the time. When in LA, I love to go up to Big Bear, out to Joshua Tree, down to the San Diego Zoo or Safari Park. Just tons of great places to go. I love historic and natural areas, and there are many but they require a drive.

[jm1982]

Yeah that is true, there is a lot to see within a relatively short drive of the L.A area...but I guess the question is whether or not it's "worth it" to buy a car , pay payments, insurance, maintance, etc on the car year round if you can get around using public transportation...an then when you want to go to Big Bear, Joshua Tree,San Diego etc renting a car for the weekend..

I'm guess it just depends how often you do plan on getting out of town for the weekend versus staying in town.

I've lived in L.A my whole life and there's still tons of stuff I still haven't checked out in the L.A metro area alone.

[disgruntled la native]

Originally Posted by Spikett

I can't imagine this at all - in LA or anywhere else. But I really like to drive. When I'm in Tennessee I go for drives in the country all the time. When in LA, I love to go up to Big Bear, out to Joshua Tree, down to the San Diego Zoo or Safari Park. Just tons of great places to go. I love historic and natural areas, and there are many but they require a drive.

That's you. And that's fine you like drives. but a lot of people (myself included) don't care for long aimless drives. for me, driving = gas costs, freaking out about police pulling over, and worrying about other nuts on the road. plus parking.

[Spikett]

Originally Posted by disgruntled la native

That's you. And that's fine you like drives. but a lot of people (myself included) don't care for long aimless drives. for me, driving = gas costs, freaking out about police pulling over, and worrying about other nuts on the road. plus parking.

I wasn't suggesting my opinions were universal or that everyone should share them - just adding my two cents. Driving here is a real challenge. When want to just drive I tend to head up the 5 toward the Grapevine, or out to the Antelope Valley - it's the path of least resistance.

[Fontucky]

Originally Posted by disgruntled la native

That's you. And that's fine you like drives. but a lot of people (myself included) don't care for long aimless drives. for me, driving = gas costs, freaking out about police pulling over, and worrying about other nuts on the road. plus parking.

Fear. That explains your self-imposed insularity. You're missing a lot of good eats out there, not to mention funky, out of the way places to see.

[AtheroscleroticPlaque]

Originally Posted by disgruntled la native

I hear you. Something i'm facing myself. I've had a car since I was 16, but the costs of maintaining and keeping a car is getting tiresome. Car insurance is astronomical, regular services, gas is only going up, constant fear of speeding tickets/parking tickets/fender benders, paying for parking, getting stuck in traffic. Going carless would save me several grand a year EASY.

But it only makes sense to go carless if you live in a central area where public transit will get you from pt a to pt b easily. Like Santa Monica to Westwood, or even Santa Monica to Downtown. If you're living in Beverly Hills and working in Burbank, you're SOL. 3 buses and 3 hours. Therefore, going carless will save you tons of money and headache, but limit where you can work.

gotcha!

nope, it won't limit where you can work. why? simple. as soon as you get a job you like, find a home right nearby which will allow you to bike or walk to work or use some type of easy transport. people refuse to move. that's the problem.

[munchitup]

Originally Posted by Fontucky

Fear. That explains your self-imposed insularity. You're missing a lot of good eats out there, not to mention funky, out of the way places to see.

My mindset is - Places like that are why I have a car that mostly collects dust. I'd rather not drive, but if I have to I am certainly more than capable of it.

There is a reason so many had their minds blown by Cyclavia... by getting out of their cars for once, they saw a city that had been blurred at 30 MPH. The next one is going to be awesome, DTLA to the Beach via Venice, a street that is surely rarely walked or cycled down.