Do you need a car in LA?

Can you live in Los Angeles, California without a car? This is a question I had before I moved here, and I couldn't really find a good answer, so I decided I'd make a video about it for others who might be wondering the same...

Turns out it all depends on your own lifestyle and personal needs. For myself, I'm opting out of owning a vehicle for now. Let's see how long I can go carless!

DAY 26 of daily videos! :)

[LotjeG]

I'm going to be 32 next month and I still don't have a license. My husband is 34, going on 35, and he doesn't have one either. We have two children. Everyone tells me we need a car, but in our situation we don't. We live near a couple of bus stops, in between two train stations and we have bicycles. We don't buy furniture or other big items on a weekly basis, stores are closeby, it's honestly fine. We live in the Netherlands though, probably should've started with that.

[theesilverghost]

Good morning, Lefie!
I lived a good deal of my adult life without a car -- or a driving license. I lived in walkable cities with decent public transportation such as New York City (various boroughs), Philadelphia, Seattle, New Orleans. Once I moved to a more rural area north of New York City, I had to get a license and a car; there was NO public transportation, no sidewalks, and pretty much nothing to walk to -- other than an apple orchard or a prison.

Currently, I live in Pittsburgh, and I own a car for two reasons: 1) my husband is in a band, which requires a car for transporting equipment and 2) my parents are older, and relying on public transport to visit them is too annoying to consider. Admittedly, there's a touch of "just in case" as well -- if I need to get to them in a health emergency.

However, I do think that we could manage being car free if we needed to. It's an expensive and a hassle that I'd rather not have.

[NESherv]

I love cars, so not owning any would crush my j’oie de vivre—but I understand and appreciate all your points, so more power to you. Owning a car and not owning a car can both be very romantic and practical ideas.

[TheElizondo]

I've lived 2 years in LA without a car. Granted I live along the expo-line so I can easily ride it to downtown and the beach when needed, and biking (in the mostly flat westside) is incredibly convenient. Don't miss my car at all.

[kayyangchung]

I live n Europe and in a country where cars are seen as a necessity. I like not having to be responsible for a vehicle and I prefer to cycle or walk to places. We need fewer cars around and better public transport worldwide.

[Delala]

Jeey for carfree living!! I 100% agree with you!
I live in the countryside of the Netherlands and sold my car a year ago. Although it is challenging sometimes, 98% of the time I have no problems at all. Not having a car is totally worth it!! 🙌 (and way better for the environment 👌🌿)

[aaronjackson]

honestly you really inspired me with this. you've made it seem so achievable

[AprilJohnson]

the bus system is pretty good in LA when I visited last. Let me know when you put the van up for sale. I am totally interested in getting a ford transit connect and your "lump" looks perfect. Plus I love watching you content and would be proud to take good care of your baby that you spent so much time renovating. I am planning a zion and national park tour of utah for my 55th b-day and want to try to be a digital nomad for awhile.

[aadisam]

I agree it all depends on one's personal needs and lifestyle. There is also the middle path i.e. use the car for long commutes and for shorter ones use a bicycle or just walk there.

Day 26!! Time flies fast.

[MichaelColombo]

I live in a big city and had a car. Eventually I just did a cost analysis. Figured out my monthly expenses for payment, insurance, gas, garage, then made a generous estimation for public transit, rideshares, zipcars, and rentals. the car-less route won by a country mile.

[daniperkins]

Welcome to Los Angeles! I sold my car nearly five years ago and for the most part have not missed it at all! So much depends on your neighborhood (I'm in Koreatown), but it is possible and there are so many more options for getting around than I would have expected.

[ma]

Every video of yours that I’ve watched is interesting! You make me consider things I’ve never considered before.

[lindaroyal]

All great tips, but not practical for some. I'm in Florida, closest grocery store is 3 miles away, same for doctors, etc.
Not able to walk that far, especially in our humid hot months and rainy season.
Small Town so Uber, etc. not available.

[thezaher]

I don't know the situation in LA.
But how about a bicycle? Or an E-bike?

[itsemyc.]

I've learn that getting caught in any kind of weather made me see the seasons nuances and changes from day to day. I was more aware of the month and time of day I was in. I got to experience unique beauty of nature that changes in few minutes and you had to be there at that moment to experience. It's not always easy. Over here we have snowstorms and heatwaves. However, I support heat and cold better when I actually confront it every day. I get use to it because my body is following the natural evolution of seasons. Still need a coat in the winter of course, but the cold wind is way less painful and the grey days less depressing.

[Arcticwish]

I really enjoyed hearing your perspective. I own a car because I may need it to pursue careers out in the field, like a wildlife technician. However, I don't like using it for daily commutes or to go somewhere that's less than a 40-minute walk away (I am also grateful to live in a town with free buses for further places). The exception is with groceries, though part of that is pressure from my roommates to take them when I need to buy food. I do notice that when I don't use a car, I have much better time-management. I would need to plan out how much food I can carry in a grocery run or to be at the bus stop on time. I can't speak for living in places with food deserts, as having a car is unfortunately probably necessary.

[amandadaydreamer]

Growing up in a super rural area, you basically are driving the farm truck and tractors to help out at age 8 or 9. It's miles to any town or city so owning a vehicle is a must in our community. I visited NYC when I was in my teens and I remember blowing the cab driver's mind when he found out we all had our own vehicles and drivers license already. I thought living in a place where you could just walk or use public transit would be awesome. Different POVS keeps it interesting! Love the content Lefie!

[jitkamikulastik]

You should get a bike! I'm European so I'm used to walking, biking, or taking public transport everywhere so I don't know if getting a bike is useful in LA, but you should give it a try ;)

[jenzie]

This is such an interesting thing to think about. I'm curious how this would apply to South Florida.

[GypsyWolfGina]

I don't much in life, but I need my car. The freedom it gives me to roam on a whim is priceless. Driving is my anti anxiety method believe it or not and I live in Chicago, not as crazy as LA, but getting there.