Dear blinders, I am a Bay Area resident who used to take uner/lyft and public transpotation to commute everywhere. I am planning to get a liscense soon as one of my new year resolution. I have been hearing from all my friends with shocking voice telling how could I survive living here without a car and taking uber everytine is so expensive blah blah blah. However when I was doing some simple research online I found out that buying/renting a car seems equally expensive... Besides monthly payment, there are also insurance, car wash, parking fee. And I found it especially unfit for me because: 1) I am kinda of the guy that has a much higher intrinsic depreciation rate than market for all the products. Considering I always abandon all my Apple products for new version, I don’t think I can hold a car for too long once there are new models coming out. 2) I take company shuttle bus to commute between my apartment and office. So this daily routine does not cost anything already. 3) I have lyft/uber subscription and always choose carpool whenever I go out. It’s really not taking that much Therefore, I am actually a bit hesitate if it is really necessary for me to own/rent a car living in Bay Area. I would love to hear advices from others. The only advantage I could think of is when I want to go on a short distance trip to Half Moon Bay or Tahoe.
I have a car and am in Palo Alto, and while I get your point, I don’t think I would ever go without a car in South Bay. It’s nice to have the liberty to explore when you want, how you want, for however long you want. I especially think it’s helpful for hikes and when you’re going to get groceries. But if you decide not to have a car, try out the Scoop app for carpooling to and from work. it’s really nice
I get your point too. That sense of liberty is also a big bonus for me. May I ask how much you really spend on ur car each month, including all costs?
You want a car, just buy a cheap one.
I don't have a car either and use shuttle/uber/lyft everywhere (Hello, commuter benefits). I put in $100/month in my commuter benefits and I usually go through it. Its not difficult to survive without a car but there are always times where just having a car is a lot easier. Luckily, I get to use my gfs car often so I just got myself a non-owners insurance for $25/month for anything urgent/too far to uber. But if you think you might be changing cars often lease is your best bet. Car cost breakdown can be: 400(lease for a 30-35k car)/100(insurance)/250(3 full tanks + extra) ~= $750 So based on how often you miss out on the convenience of a car, how much you spend on uber it might be better for you to just keep doing uber.
Got a car after a month of walking and ubering when I first moved to south bay lol. Anyways lease a car
I assume that this is not in the city of SF. You need a car if you need the freedom to go around easily without discomforting yourself or others. I never like to make plans to go out with people who don't have a car as they either need to head back home early to get a ride or needed to be dropped off. It's not that expensive and should be considered as a need than a privilege. 1) leasing might be an option 2) Okay. You can still use the shuttle for commute to work. 3) you won't need this anymore.
Dude i didn't think you could get away without a car in South Bay. Just lease a cheap car like a Corolla with the lowest mileage. See how much you use it, if you don't then use a lease trading site to get out of it
I’m really confused by the question. If you don’t have a car and the lifestyle works for you and isn’t limiting you, what is your question? Whether you should give into peer pressure for ... social norms?
I live in the sunset in SF, and work in downtown. I have a car and can’t imagine living without one. Granted I tend to go to Daly City for asian grocery stores and I go to South Bay and Tahoe a LOT. Not having a car means no hiking, no fishing and no snowboarding for me. As far as costs go, I have a compact sedan that’s a few years old. Fully paid off so I only have to pay for registration every year ($~280 but ofc this will get cheaper as the car gets older), insurance ($120/mo), gas is roughly anywhere from 1-3 tanks a month depending on how often I’m in Tahoe etc at (~$40/tank) and maintenance which works out to be about once a quarter and averages around $250-$300
Live in SF... lived without a car for 2 weeks and I had so much anxieties and was miserable. I hated waiting for uber and felt so restricted. Buy a car with cash. Insurance and gas shouldn’t be more than $300 a month. You are buying freedom to go anywhere.
Depends where in the bay...
I live in Santa Clara. I usually cruise around South Bay Area, including Palo Alto, Mountain View, Sunnyvale. For me Palo Alto is the north bound and San Jose is the south bound. I wouldn’t go beyond this region
Uh why? You realize you are only a couple of hours from half moon, santa cruz, big sur, napa, sonoma, tahoe, etc right!?