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I am researching retiring from NYC to a small town anywhere in the U.S. The only problem: I can't drive, never have and because of an eye condition, never will. Are there any small towns where you don't need a car?
Not really. Small towns usually equal rural.
Rural means everything aside from bare minimum essentials is spread out.
And public transport is usually non existent.
Health care can be the big stickler, as most major medical facilities will be on dead average 1/2 hour to 45 minutes away. You may have to settle for a smaller town as opposed to a “small town”. A motor vehicle is essential for rural living. Or maybe learn to ride a horse?
There are plenty of towns where you don't need a car. I live in a town of about 7,300 people. Within a quarter of a mile of my house I can walk to the doctor, dentist, post office, library, town hall, supermarket, pharmacy, barber shop, town park, and numerous restaurants. I can order anything else I need from Amazon or take the bus that runs to a nearby city of over 100,000 people.
I am researching retiring from NYC to a small town anywhere in the U.S. The only problem: I can't drive, never have and because of an eye condition, never will. Are there any small towns where you don't need a car?
Pretty much anywhere in SE Alaska. I'd suggest Haines, Sitka or Juneau.
Juneau has excellent public transportation and the downtown area is walkable. It also has jet service and a regional hospital. Sitka offers essentially the same, though I'm not sure about public transportation details.
Haines is quite small but very beautiful. You could walk just about anywhere in its downtown area. Otherwise, call a cab. I don't think they have a bus service.
The relative lack of motor vehicle activity in the region is refreshing. Haines doesn't even have a traffic light.
I am researching retiring from NYC to a small town anywhere in the U.S. The only problem: I can't drive, never have and because of an eye condition, never will. Are there any small towns where you don't need a car?
Yes.
Two options come to mind:
1) Plenty of towns NYC commuter towns (i.e. n nj, ct, westchester county) that have down town strips that have nearly everything you'd need, plus rail service into Manhattan.
2) ski resort towns tend to have excellent bus service, and have large numbers of seasonal and hospitality workers w/o personal transportation.
I guess this all depends on what the OP considers “small” town.
Parts of Westchester could be considered small town to some, especially if you are coming from someplace like NYC.
I live in Mt. Airy, NC. population 10,300, county has 74,000. I live rural about 11 miles from town, but there are many houses, apts within walking distance to town, we have medical transportation, and cabs. Hospital is in town as are many, many drs offices.. short drive or walk to anything you need.
I guess this all depends on what the OP considers “small” town.
Parts of Westchester could be considered small town to some, especially if you are coming from someplace like NYC.
Yeah, my small town is under 3,000. No traffic lights, no cabs, no bus, no PD, volunteer FD, no grocery store- only some 'convenience' type stores. Nearest reasonably sized/priced market is 12 miles away, supermarkets are 20+ miles away. Vehicles are a 'must have' item here.
Yeah, my small town is under 3,000. No traffic lights, no cabs, no bus, no PD, volunteer FD, no grocery store- only some 'convenience' type stores. Nearest reasonably sized/priced market is 12 miles away, supermarkets are 20+ miles away. Vehicles are a 'must have' item here.
Me too, similar. “Town” has gas/convenience store, supermarket, a few restaurants, a general medical center and the town hall/library. That’s pretty much it.
But, I’m 20 miles(1/2 hour-ish) from a major hospital and all the big box junk your heart desires.
No public transit from town aside from maybe Uber/taxi. I’m in agricultural area sprinkled with tourism/2nd homeowners. Ain’t much here and that’s the way we like it. I’m about 5 miles out from “town”, in the boonies.
OP’s biggest hurdle appears to be transportation.
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