2006-09-22 14:03:19 · 11 answers · asked by Charlotte Sometimes 2 in Travel ➔ United States ➔ Seattle
Public transportation is King County Metro Buses, and I'd say it's fairly good. You can live without a car here (many do), but I think it would be somewhat difficult, depending on which area of Seattle you choose to live in. My sister lives downtown and finds living without a car easy. I live in north Seattle (Greenlake), but work in West Seattle and wouldn't dream of taking the bus...it would take me 3 times as long to get to work because I'd have to transfer lines.
As for Portland, it's a much smaller city and their public transportation seems better to me. They have buses and a train.
2006-09-22 14:19:58 · answer #1 · answered by seattlecutiepie 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I've actually lived in both places.. I went to college in Portland, and my husband and I jsut moved from Seattle to where we are no right before I had my baby.
Portland has GREAT transit. You could totally go without a car, I did and I was fine. I also had friends, so that helped someitmes, but I really didnt' bum rides off them very often
Seattle also has great transit, but not as good as Portland I would have to say. You have to walk farther to the bus stops, so as long as you don't mind that it's not too bad. However, remember the rain seattle is notorious for.... Tacoma has the best transit I have found so far.
Hope this helps!
2006-09-25 10:32:48 · answer #2 · answered by Amanda 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It really depends on where you are planning on vacationing. If you are in the downtown area, the buses are fantastic! You'll find plentiful service and good coverage to lots of areas. There are a lot of really "well-served" areas, such as the University District (where UW is, buses run frequently for students), Northgate, along Rainier, Lake City, and other places. If you know where you'll be and where you are interested in going, it'd be easier to answer, but the Metro (the bus system in Seattle) is a pretty good system and you can get around fairly easily. Also, Community Transit runs in Snohomish County mostly and also some King County and commuter buses from Sno. County to Seattle and the eastside and has a lot of really comfortable buses (many plush seats and such). Also, Sound Transit runs a lot of commuter buses, which may be helpful if you are trying to go somewhere outside of Seattle. If you could give a few details, it's easier to say.
2016-03-27 03:03:41 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't need a car in Seattle! The bus transportation is excellent to almost anywhere you want to go and very inexpensive! No idea about Portland.
2006-09-28 02:15:19 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The bus system in Seattle is good; I think you could very likely get along without a car. I don't know Portland well enough to comment.
2006-09-22 23:45:05 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I can't speak to Portland , but I lived in Seattle and they have an excellent bus system. When you move there check out the bus lines amd make your decision on where to live based on a good route to your job. My wife had a straight shot to work with no transfers, but tansfers are free. There are also wonderful bike trails and lots of people bike to work. disregard the rain rumors. It is often cloudy and sometimes misty or damp, but it doesn't rain much more in total inches than the Northeast.
Driving in Seattle is a nightmare. The rush hours are awful. But if you can live in town and near a business area you can do just fine without a car.
2006-09-22 14:16:07 · answer #6 · answered by David S 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Portland and Seattle have subperb public transportation.
Trimet is Portland, not sure about Seattle.
http://trimet.org/
2006-09-26 18:23:26 · answer #7 · answered by mysticideas 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I used to live near Seattle and found that walking was half the fun. The public transportation there is really good, or at least it was when I lived there. I wouldn't recomment having a car if you're going to be downtown a lot.
2006-09-22 14:11:16 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have lived in Seattle for Forty Years and I would not be without a Car. You will want to take off on the spur of the moment to drive to the Ocean, or Canada, or the Mountains or even to the Opera and you will want your Car. Plus the Buses take twice as long to get you there.
2006-09-26 17:14:37 · answer #9 · answered by fatsausage 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have lived in both city's and never owned a car....If your staying in the core of the city (queen anne, cap hill )You could never need a car at all but once you get past northgate getting around gets to be a pain , and portland the busses are always on time and go everywhere ,
2006-09-23 15:38:29 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋