can you really get by in europe without a car?

[OrganizedChaos]

so the other day i went to the hardware store to get a 20lb propane tank filled. the hardware store was 7 miles away. how would someone in europe handle this? do they get on a subway and just lug the tank around town?

if there putting a new mailbox out front and need a back of quickrete how do they get it home?

how do they get there groceries home?

<--dosen't understand how they do it

 

[SLCentral]

Originally posted by: OrganizedChaos
so the other day i went to the hardware store to get a 20lb propane tank filled. the hardware store was 7 miles away. how would someone in europe handle this? do they get on a subway and just lug the tank around town?

if there putting a new mailbox out front and need a back of quickrete how do they get it home?

how do they get there groceries home?

<--dosen't understand how they do it

Well, they first begin with being able to write using correct grammar .

Topic Title: can you really get by in europe without a car?
Topic Summary: how do they manage to do anything done.



Regarding cars in Europe, it all depends on where you live. If you live in the middle of nowhere, you'll need a car. If you live in a European city, much like in NYC/LA/etc., no, you do not need a car.

 

[Muzzan]

Um, first of all, not every European lacks a car. But even if a particular European did (although I don't see why this question is not about car-less people in general), they could for instance have had the Quickcrete delivered to their home, and borrowed a friend's car to lug the propane tank around. Or maybe they simply never put themselves into situations where a car is absolutely required (e.g., if you choose to live in an apartment you don't have to put up your own mailbox). That's clearly possible, since many people do it.

 

[Hyudra]

i saw on fifth gear that you can rent cars inexpensively

 

[JEDI]

foldable shopping carts

 

[axelfox]

how you say . . . organized chaos? haha

 

[Shlong]

Yup, you'll just have to check out their culture. It's mind-blogging to some suburban americans how you can live without a car.

 

[flexy]

when i lived in Europe, some mid-sized cities and then in berlin (about as big as chicago) - there was a bus/subway station literally across my street.

With the exception of midnight to 4:00 am (where only two lines were going) there was a subway each 10mins going and you can reach ANY part of the city pretty quick.

Also...lol...you sound like 20 (!) lbs of whatevever is a big deal for you....20lbs.....maybe make another thread and ask the same question when you have to carry something weighing 100lbs+.....an average shopping bag might be 20lbs already...so what's the big deal ?

Also..many europeans DO have cars....but as said w/ the example of a bigger-city (compare to NYC here)...why need a car when you can go anywhere 24/7 without it ? Dont even compare public tranportation in EU with anything here, its' no comparison AT ALL...neither is comparing some city in EU w/ somewhere in the suburbs in the states.

 

[clickynext]

For starters if they didn't have a car then they're more likely to live close to everything they need. And if they weren't close, there are a few means, including borrowing a car or taking a taxi.

 

[olds]

When I lived there I had a car but took the train a lot.

 

[ndee]

Of course you go grocery shopping with the car. But for commuting, I think we use alot more public transportation than you guys.

 

[GTaudiophile]

After having lived in Berlin and been back many times, I would say yes, but only in certain cities in certain countries. Berlin has perhaps one of the best public systems in the world. I could easily live there without a car. I could go from my doorstep in Berlin to my doorstep in Munich without a car too.

 

[miri]

Originally posted by: OrganizedChaos
so the other day i went to the hardware store to get a 20lb propane tank filled. the hardware store was 7 miles away. how would someone in europe handle this? do they get on a subway and just lug the tank around town?

if there putting a new mailbox out front and need a back of quickrete how do they get it home?

how do they get there groceries home?

<--dosen't understand how they do it

European cities are much more densely populated. I used to live in Seville, a large city and I could walk the length of the entire city easily if I wanted to. Also there are subways, busses and cabs everywhere.

No subways in Seville though.

Theres usually a grocery store within walking distance since it is so densely populated there.

 

[imported_Phil]

I think the OP fails to comprehend how absurdly big America is to the rest of the world.

Also, 20lbs? I leave behind a quarter of that every morning. What are you, some sort of 80lb weakling?

[Edit] Check the following that you are familiar with:

[ ] Bus
[ ] Train
[ ] Taxi
[ ] Bicycle
[ ] Motorbike
[ ] Friend with car
[ ] Home delivery
[ ] Feet
[ ] African swallow
[ ] Pizza

 

[Turkish]

I lived in Germany for a while and didn't need a car. I took the train, bus, cab or simply WALKED. I know walking is a foreign subject to the majority of Americans but hey, you all can walk Also, bikes with baskets infront or rear = awesome for grocery shopping

 

[Biggerhammer]

If you buy something that's not practical to bring home on the bus, you call a taxi. It ain't brain surgery