Im planning to move to Boston, is it necessary to own a car?

Question

Im single and planning to move to Boston, is it possible to just use the Subways and taxis as transportation? What is your opinion?

Thanks for the responses, the reason why Im asking is because I was hoping to become a firefighter there, and really just wanted to get from an apartment, to a station, and back. And also to go to other basic places(i.e. Grocery store, or the movies, etc.)

Answer 1

Boston is a pretty easy place to get around without a car. Parking is scarce and expensive. I'd skip the car.

Answer 2

I've lived in Boston for 20+ years and never owned a car. The T is not perfect, but it works. (I commute outside of rush hour these days, so I'm a little spoiled and don't have to jam in with everyone coming in at 8 and going home at 5.) Fares have gone up, but you can buy a monthly pass and that gives you unlimited use (bus, subway, or bus and subway).

You might want to join Zipcar (see link). Also, you'll probably rent cars from time to time for trips out of town. There are some times when it's a pain to be without a car, but during a snow emergency or street cleaning season you'll just have to hold yourself back from being smug.

Answer 3

the subways and commuter rail can get you pretty much anywhere within a 30 mile radius of the city, and the bus connections network pretty much anywhere within the 128/95 loop. so you don't need a car even if you live outside the city in one of the immediate suburbs. drivers in boston are the worst in the nation, and the roads are old, curvy, and confusing. on the bright side, boston is a fantastic walking city and has a lot of beautiful neighborhoods to live in (back bay, beacon hill, south end, north end, brighton/allston to name a few). a lot of people choose to live in nearby somerville or cambridge which are served by the red line and the northern end of the green line (lechemere stop) as well as numerous bus connections. you can get around just fine without a car, but to go outside the city, like to the beaches or out of state, might be a little bit more difficult.

Answer 4

It's definitely possible... I have many friends who don't own a car. In fact, depending on your destination and time of travel, a car is sometimes *slower* given the traffic problems and spiderweb-like layout of the Boston streets.

The subway tends to do a good job moving you east to west (i.e. downtown to Cambridge, etc.) and back. The bus is fairly cheap and not horribly traumatizing if you want to go to Providence or NYC. It's a little bit harder to travel north -- to northern New England -- but if you do that relatively infrequently, it shouldn't be an issue.

Answer 5

You CAN use the the T (subway) but you have to have the patience of a saint. The T is usually ok, but a lot of delays and they only run until 1am. The bus service in Boston is HORRENDOUS. Overcrowded, always late and it's a frikkin $1.50! The T is $2.25. A car and parking can be expensive, but I prefer it after riding the T for a year. Traffic is usually onlt bad during rush hour, but even then you can find your back roads yanno. Good luck!

Answer 6

NO!

Single gal living in Boston for 12 years. Never needed a car. The only time I rent a car is when I am going to other New England States.

Answer 7

I live in Boston, and I do not need/use a car, its very unneccesary unless where you are going is very far away, and if it is, you can take the T or the Trolley or the Bus. Walking is my main form of transportation

plus Boston roads stink you wouldnt want to drive on them, Boston drivers are the worst too, they have the lovely nickname "Massholes" haha but bottom line, no you dont need one, but if you do get one, parking is a pain in the "tutu"
hope i helped!!

Answer 8

all depends on if you can park a car i live in revere and got to have a car but the public trans is excellent not going to say that they are on time but theres many options i drive a bus in boston and it goes threw cambridge its called E-Z ride it cost a $1.00 departs from north station starting at 6;20 am and every 10 minutes goes threw cambridge to kendall sq were there other t stops the off to cambridge port last bus is 10;12 in the am and the pm times are from like 3;00 to 7;24 thats mine erics my name hope to see you come check it out first ride is free for you secret word its firefighter

Answer 9

the T is sometimes a joke, so I would still have a car available (come on, the T is known for mysterious delays where the train was unavailable and you had to wait for hours for a shuttle bus)

don't waste your money on a cab, too expensive.

Michael M is right, I should know I lived in Boston

Answer 10

You don't need a car. . .If you want to travel outside the city and it's close surroundings, of course it can be sort of a pain. But there are lots of Zip Car locations if you decide you want to take a day trip or something that will even out expensive Boston parking and car insurance.