Im moving to Washington D.C., do you think I need a car?

Question

Or will I be able to get around the city with the metro system?

Answer 1

Definitely use the Metro and don't get a car! Living near the Metro is a good idea, and not driving. As others have mentioned they do have car-sharing systems, like Flexcar or Zipcar (they have websites so you can check those out) - basically you rent the car by the hour so if you need to go on a big shopping trip to Target or something, then you can get a car for a couple hours. Otherwise the Metro is a good option. I live in Boston (and don't have a car), but I'm from DC originally and visit all the time and I know people live downtown and don't have cars. I would recommend looking at neighborhoods in NW DC (basically anywhere on the Red Line that's west of Metro Center towards Shady Grove), or even the MD suburbs on that end of the Red Line (Bethesda/Rockville). Or Silver Spring on the other end of the Red Line. I know there are good areas in Virginia also but I'm not as familiar with that side of the city since I'm from the MD suburbs.

Also just fyi the Metro's website is www.wmata.com

Answer 2

If you live in DC or an inner suburb, don't get a car. If you live in one of the outer suburbs, you may want one. The bus system is a little better in Washington, DC, and Montgomery County, Maryland than the rest of the area. And not only have I seen people dragging groceries home on the bus, I do it all the time myself. Unless you buy huge amounts of stuff, you should be able to get by.

And there is FlexCar, ZipCar, and umpteen rental agencies if you are going to places that are not Metro-accessible or you are carrying heavy items.

Welcome to the area!

Answer 3

You can do it if you live near a Metro stop that is in the city, or in an urban area near it, such as in Arlington or Alexandria. You could join one of the two car-sharing services in the area - FlexCar or ZipCar. They both park cars all around the area, mostly near Metro stops, that you can basically just rent for a few hours by reserving them by phone or on the web. It's a great way to have a car when you really need one.

Answer 4

It depends where you will live in the city or out of the city. In either case a car would be nice to have, but you could survive w/o one. The metro when I lived there was ok but difficult to navigate unless you ride the train exclusivley. I say a car would be nice because there are many things to do around the DC area ie chesapeake bay,Annapolis,ocean beaches,etc.

Answer 5

Depends where you live, but probably not. I've lived here 10 years and between Metro, bus, renting cars, biking, walking, and using Flexcar and Zipcar, I'm very happy not having a car. DON'T buy one right away - give it a few months and see how you do without it.

Answer 6

the metro. parking is hard to find and expensive. are you moving directly into the metro DC area or a community outside? you could park your car at a metro station and then not worry about it till after work.

Answer 7

If you live and work near a metro station you probably won't need a car.

Answer 8

it would be a good idea but you will also want some thing like a moped or a bicycle just because it's cheaper on gas and you can get around easier.ou will probably need a car maore at night time, maybe when it rains, and you will probably want to go out of town pretty often just to relax and a car is safer on the highways and interstates.

Answer 9

you would be better off taking the metro to work and to get around b/c i cost like a fourtone to find a parking spot any where

Answer 10

If you re really in the city, you will probably be okay w/o a car but if you live on the outskirts, you will need to take buses, ride a bike, or walk