Would anyone recommend living in SF without owning a car? I know I can take public transportation to get around the city but SF doesn't compare to NYC when it comes to the convenience of public transportation. Also, the size of the city is a lot smaller. Is there enough to do in the city to justify missing out on the rest of the Bay Area spots to visit frequently?
Living in San Francisco owning a car vs not owning a car
- Thread starter baydude
- Start date
Personally, I enjoyed getting out of the city and exploring the bay when I living there. However, I also lived in the sunset where street parking was fairly convenient and free.
caltrain and BART gets you to a lot of places around the Bay Area. Biking can take you farther so I would say you don't actually need a car as much...
IAteYourMother
Lifer
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Capt Caveman
Lifer
- Jan 30, 2005
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I live in SF, near the Panhandle. I work in Downtown Oakland. I don't own a car right now. I live with three other people - two own cars, two us don't.
For me, it's not really a big deal. Parking is kind of a hassle near my flat. I take the bus and BART to work every day and while that's not the most enjoyable thing in the world, it's not that bad. Many, many people do the same. I find that the MUNI trams, buses, BART, the occasional cab, and just walking are fine for getting to the places I want to go. I don't get out of the city a whole lot, but when I do, BART and Caltrain are decent options. You can of course also rent a ZipCar or use City CarShare if you need to.
All that to say, I don't think having a car is necessary or even preferable, depending on your lifestyle and where you will be living in SF.
One note: there's a lot of cool stuff in my immediate neighborhood. If I lived in the Outer Sunset or something I might feel differently.
Edit: you're right that the city isn't really that big. Although I've never tried, Google tells me you can walk from Ocean Beach to the Ferry Building, across the entire city, in about two and half hours.
For me, it's not really a big deal. Parking is kind of a hassle near my flat. I take the bus and BART to work every day and while that's not the most enjoyable thing in the world, it's not that bad. Many, many people do the same. I find that the MUNI trams, buses, BART, the occasional cab, and just walking are fine for getting to the places I want to go. I don't get out of the city a whole lot, but when I do, BART and Caltrain are decent options. You can of course also rent a ZipCar or use City CarShare if you need to.
All that to say, I don't think having a car is necessary or even preferable, depending on your lifestyle and where you will be living in SF.
One note: there's a lot of cool stuff in my immediate neighborhood. If I lived in the Outer Sunset or something I might feel differently.
Edit: you're right that the city isn't really that big. Although I've never tried, Google tells me you can walk from Ocean Beach to the Ferry Building, across the entire city, in about two and half hours.
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zinfamous
No Lifer
- Jul 12, 2006
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pretty much. For living/working in the city, you don't need a car and it's far more trouble than it's worth.
But SF is in the middle of countless awesome things to see and do, so not having a car limits exploration. Personally, I'm not a big fan of SF as far as cities go and couldn't imagine not being able to escape.
A city like Chicago--that sits in the middle of absolutely nothing for roughly 400 miles in each direction--you do not need a car.
You can technically get around a lot of the bay area via public transit but I don't know how good that really is.
If you don't have a car already I'd say try zip car or equivalent and see if you really need a car often enough to buy one. Conversely if you do have a car keep it and see in 6 months - 1 year if it is worth the cost/hassle.
If you don't have a car already I'd say try zip car or equivalent and see if you really need a car often enough to buy one. Conversely if you do have a car keep it and see in 6 months - 1 year if it is worth the cost/hassle.
Update:
Living in SF without a car majorly sucks after 4 months. It's convenient and maybe fun if all you're into is the club and bar scene. Got bored of the same touristy stuff after the first couple months. Using Zipcar is convenient for errands and short grocery runs but not ideal for going out since you'll be confined to a reserved schedule unless you pay $100 for the daily rental. The muni system sucks getting anywhere not along the Bart stops since you'll be waiting in the wind or cold.
Also, it's pretty much impossible to date without a car here because girls aren't willing to meet up via bus or muni like they would in NYC.
Looks like I will be getting a car soon but at a $235 monthly parking fee.
Living in SF without a car majorly sucks after 4 months. It's convenient and maybe fun if all you're into is the club and bar scene. Got bored of the same touristy stuff after the first couple months. Using Zipcar is convenient for errands and short grocery runs but not ideal for going out since you'll be confined to a reserved schedule unless you pay $100 for the daily rental. The muni system sucks getting anywhere not along the Bart stops since you'll be waiting in the wind or cold.
Also, it's pretty much impossible to date without a car here because girls aren't willing to meet up via bus or muni like they would in NYC.
Looks like I will be getting a car soon but at a $235 monthly parking fee.
Yeah, I think it would be tough long term without a car. Public transportation in SF is nothing like NYC, Boston, or pretty much any other major city in the world.
OBLAMA2009
Diamond Member
- Apr 17, 2008
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having a car can be troublesome and expensive, but i would get a car and a bicycle. the city is fun but there are times when you just have to get out of it. parking is expensive, expect to pay about $500/month if you keep your car in a garage. parking downtown is all pay and two hour limited. for traveling within the city, like going to the grocery, a decent road bike is best, parking and traffic is that bad
I have a monthly MUNI pass to get around the city but just don't like this lifestyle where I'm limited to a small city and rare opportunities to explore the entire bay area. There are so many nice hiking trails and places I'd enjoy visiting outside SF weekly. Having no car I feel trapped and using zipcars sucks.
Public transportation in SF sucks so much. Incredibly slow and unreliable. Not in the same realm as places like NYC.
I live in SF and have a car. I considered many times selling it because it's just parked there. I take the bus to and from work.
I kept my car because I want to get out of the city from time to time and any other city in the Bay Area is not going to have good public transportation.
I kept my car because I want to get out of the city from time to time and any other city in the Bay Area is not going to have good public transportation.
Newell Steamer
Diamond Member
- Jan 27, 2014
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If I worked in SF somewhere near bart I'd just live in Oakland near a bart station and ride the train in everyday. Much cheaper rent and more likely than not you would not have to pay for parking.
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