No car? No problem. Plenty of U.S. cities with good public transportation make it possible to live comfortably without owning a vehicle. Living without a car has some serious perks, like fewer responsibilities (goodbye, routine oil changes) and serious cash savings (hello, luxury apartment!).
Plus, when you live in a city with good public transit, the time you spend commuting can be productive or even enjoyable. When you don’t have to focus on driving to and from work or daily errands, you can read, reply to emails, or take a few minutes to breathe after a long day.
If you’re ready to ditch your car in favor of a new city lifestyle, check out these U.S. cities with the best mass transit systems.
U.S. Cities with the Best Public Transportation
Chicago, IL
The “L” is Chicago’s legendary urban rail system, but surprisingly, it’s not the only easy and safe way to get around! In addition to having some of the best mass transit systems in the U.S., Chicago also has one of the highest bike scores in the country. If you’re looking to relocate and find adventure, check out one of Chicago’s several up-and-coming neighborhoods to find the perfect change of scenery for your life. A car is not required!
Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia is an integral city in United States history, and its rich background gives it a unique charm that you won’t find anywhere else. With one of the best mass transit networks, Philadelphia makes it easy to get to and from anywhere in the metro area, or to another city entirely.
The internal city train system is perfect for making your commute a smooth one. Plus, the Acela Express lines can get you directly to Boston, New York, Washington, D.C., and Baltimore (all of which have fantastic public transportation, too). Nothing beats having easy access to five cities, without having to pay for parking in any of them!
New York, NY
In New York City, living without a car is the only way to live! With space to park at a premium, most New Yorkers don’t own a car at all. Instead, they rely on New York’s robust, far-reaching public transportation system. The subway is the fastest way to navigate to NYC boroughs (especially for commuters), but an MTA bus route is excellent for shorter trips.
Living in a densely populated city means you don’t have to go far to find the nearest grocery store or coffee shop. That convenience explains why New York is one of the most walkable cities in the U.S., according to Walk Score. On the downside, it’s also one of the most expensive cities to live in, but moving without a car can save you considerable cash, whether you’re going to Brooklyn or the SoHo.
Washington, D.C.
Transportation options can be one of the most significant factors when deciding between urban vs. suburban living. If you’re considering a move to the Washington, D.C. area, you may not have to choose! With D.C.’s Metrorail system, you can call a major suburb home and easily commute to the heart of the city for work or entertainment.
Living in the ‘burbs can slash your rent expenses, and most of D.C.’s major suburbs still have all the city amenities you’ll need! Bonus: many people claim that D.C.’s subway system is cleaner than others around the country!
San Francisco, CA
We get it—sometimes, you need to head west. Fortunately, San Francisco is amongst the U.S. cities with the best public transportation. Walk Score says it’s second only to New York City. San Francisco’s best public transportation options aren’t limited to just land, either. Trains, buses, and even ferries make it easy to get around the Bay Area. So if you work in Silicon Valley, but want to live in San Francisco, you can get by without a car!
Living without a Car: Find Convenient City Apartments
See? Maybe trading in your car lease for an apartment lease in one of these cities isn’t so bad! Life without a car is a breeze when you choose a city with excellent public transportation. When you’re ready to get rid of your car and go for an upgraded apartment instead, check out affordable apartments on ApartmentSearch.com.
