I'm moving to Seattle. Do I need to own a car there?
Great question. The short answer is no. You don't need to own a car in Seattle. The city has an extensive bus system that can get you to virtually every neighborhood in and around Seattle.
There are also transportation systems that serve specific neighborhoods, like the Seattle Streetcar (a.k.a. the S.L.U.T. ... it's a long story), the monorail (which is more for tourists, to be honest), and the new Link Light Rail service that's already underway, with expected completion sometime around 2023 (no, that's not a typo). Sound Transit also offers a commuter rail system connecting to cities like Tacoma, Everett, and Kent, to name a few. Finally, you always have the option of calling a cab, but it'll cost you.
That being said, in most cases, it's quite a bit faster to go between between neighborhoods by car than by bus. Part of why Seattle launched the Link Light Rail initiative is that the city's public transportation is growing increasingly inadequate. But like I said, that's not supposed to be finished until 2023. Also, it's tough to get out of the city on weekends and explore nearby towns without a car.
Since that probably only confused you more, here are a few things to consider:
If you're not going to own a car
1.) Try to live in a neighborhood with ample bus lines and/or a light rail station.
2.) Think about where you're going to work -- aim to have an easy route from home to the office or school.
3.) How often do you like to go out of town or to other neighborhoods?
4.) Do you have friends with cars nearby? That helps...
5.) Are you near a grocery store and shopping district?
If you are going to own a car
1.) Do you have a dedicated parking space? (Some neighborhoods have notoriously bad parking.)
2.) If you're going to drive to work, is parking a major expense? (It can be downtown...)
3.) Don't forget to account for Seattle's high gas prices.
4.) Think about your commute -- is it faster by bus during rush hour?
5.) Don't forget to walk or take the bus when you can. It's good for the environment, and a great way to explore the city!
Comments
and of course for those who don't have cars, there are options like zipcar and renting (for those longer trips out of the city) that work out quite economically if you don't need a car on a daily basis. no maintenance hassles or insurance to deal with. Plenty of my friends manage that way. Oh, and having a bike helps too if you're ready to brave the hills.
Thanks! Yes, of course ... biking & Zipcar -- two awesome options in Seattle, too. Basically, I think it just comes down to looking at your lifestyle (where you live and work, how often you're leaving town, etc.) and figuring out what the cheapest & least frustrating option is for you!
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