Is it absolutely necessary to have a car in LA? (Los Angeles: car rental, rental)

[Chatteress]

Originally Posted by EscapeCalifornia

Unless there's a physical reason why someone can't drive, yeah, its crazy to spend so much effort avoiding the simplest solution to getting from point A to point B.

How about someone who just struggles with driving behind the wheel and does not have any other option but to pay $60 per 2 hours of practice (and this was in 2003 so who knows what the prices are now). I ended up spending over a grand and attempted the driver's test twice. I finally had to give it up as I could no longer continue to throw my money away. With the cost of buying, insuring, maintaining and gasing a vehicle; driving is a luxury that I just cannot afford right now.

[Chatteress]

Originally Posted by EscapeCalifornia

This isn't New York.

If NYC weren't so cold in the winter, I'd seriously consider relocating there just for the public transportation options alone! This is what I hate about So. Cal so much!

[Chatteress]

Originally Posted by squeezeboxgal

Just for the record, it's possible to live in many other cities and not own a car. Also, I ride the bus here on a daily basis, and I'm hardly a "bum" or "low-class worker." In fact, I'm a well-educated (Masters' Degree), licensed Special Ed teacher.

Same here ... I just received my masters in counseling.

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by msconnie73

How about someone who just struggles with driving behind the wheel and does not have any other option but to pay $60 per 2 hours of practice (and this was in 2003 so who knows what the prices are now). I ended up spending over a grand and attempted the driver's test twice. I finally had to give it up as I could no longer continue to throw my money away. With the cost of buying, insuring, maintaining and gasing a vehicle; driving is a luxury that I just cannot afford right now.

I just don't get that. The average 16 year old can pass the test after 6 hours behind the wheel.

[NYSD1995]

In NYC, public transit is used by the wealthy, poor, and middle class alike. It is a fabulous system. No one drives in NY if they can avoid it as public transit is usually faster.

In LA, public transit is used almost exclusively by the poor. Some commuters do use the new rail system. But most of LA's transit is accomplished via bus.

[katenik]

Originally Posted by msconnie73

How about someone who just struggles with driving behind the wheel and does not have any other option but to pay $60 per 2 hours of practice (and this was in 2003 so who knows what the prices are now). I ended up spending over a grand and attempted the driver's test twice. I finally had to give it up as I could no longer continue to throw my money away. With the cost of buying, insuring, maintaining and gasing a vehicle; driving is a luxury that I just cannot afford right now.

sounds like your problem is fear, not driving. the act of driving really isn't that difficult, but i know firsthand that anxiety can really mess with your head. if you ever want to try again, tackle the anxiety, instead of the car. i bet you already know how to drive.

[CESpeed]

Get a car or be prepared to be an hour early or incredibly late to almost everywhere you go. AT least in a car you can try to get around traffic. On public transportation, you are stuck. And public transportation is not the most reliable so your bus may show up, it may not. Your guess is as good as theirs.

Take public transportation at your own risk.

[Chatteress]

Originally Posted by EscapeCalifornia

I just don't get that. The average 16 year old can pass the test after 6 hours behind the wheel.

I'm not an average 16 year old. It isn't easy for everyone to get a license.

[Chatteress]

Originally Posted by katenik

sounds like your problem is fear, not driving. the act of driving really isn't that difficult, but i know firsthand that anxiety can really mess with your head. if you ever want to try again, tackle the anxiety, instead of the car. i bet you already know how to drive.

It isn't anxiety. It's a coordination issue. The only thing that will work for me is intensive practice and I just don't have the money to continue to "rent" the driving school's vehicles for practice.

[nickdahammer]

Originally Posted by Sassberto

In NYC, public transit is used by the wealthy, poor, and middle class alike. It is a fabulous system. No one drives in NY if they can avoid it as public transit is usually faster.

In LA, public transit is used almost exclusively by the poor. Some commuters do use the new rail system. But most of LA's transit is accomplished via bus.

Everyone rides Metro Rail: poor, rich, middle-class, you name it. I took it for years (Blue Line) and now use the Gold and Red Lines fairly often. Further, the commuters transferring from Metrolink trains to the subway don't look poor to me.