Car-free life in Detroit?

[santos]

I'm considering a move to somewhere in the Great Lakes region, but being used to European cities I prefer a city with reliable and efficient public transportation so I can live a car-free life. I realize this might be a bit ironic (given its history), but I'm curious about how Detroit is in this respect? Does it vary from one area of the city to another? Is the situation better or worse than other cities in this part of the United States?

Thanks,
Josefina

[Mike_Potter]

While you could attempt getting around by walking, cycling, and bus in some parts of Ann Arbor (technically a half hour drive west of Detroit but still an extension of the Detroit Metro area), for the vast majority of the area, a car isn't optional for an easy life.

The Detroit metro area is huge, making public transit slow. Additionally, local governments are resource constrained, so transit service quality is poor. Even getting to the airport is difficult by public transit, much harder compared to Chicago, St Louis.

If you're content in inner Ann Arbor or maybe Royal Oak, you could try car sharing services with public transit but you will be restricted in your shopping, socializing, and work (if away from home).

Be sure to look into car insurance and registration costs if you do end up getting a car.

[Nikolai_Nolan]

Unfortunately metro Detroit is still behind in public transportation. There's a small people mover system in the central business district, and a light rail line expected to open next year that connects a few key city neighborhoods. There is a city bus system, and another bus system for the suburbs, but neither would be considered impressive.

I'd be more inclined to recommend Ann Arbor, a nearby university town. It has a pretty comprehensive bus system that served me well when I lived there.

[Ali_Pavlicek]

It depends on where you live in the city. Pricey apartments downtown you'll be fine (there's a monorail) but there aren't any grocery stores in the city except Whole Foods in Midtown. The M-1 Rail Line will add to public transportation but it's not live yet. Public Transportation to the suburbs is more rare & the city's buses overall are unreliable. More & more bike friendly but the winter can be rough for bikers.

[Jeremy_Bondy]

Check out this short blog post

http://www.movoto.com/guide/detroit-mi/where-to-live-in-detroit-without-a-car/

You may also like this one

http://www.planetizen.com/node/86892/car-free-detroit

Personally, I couldn't do it without a car. Keep in mind that there is no train system that will take you out of the city so you'd want a friend with a vehicle.

[Ross_Emerton]

While it can be done and people do live without a car, it is really not practical. If you live in the suburbs and work in the city, it can be impossible to use public transportation. I've lived in SE Michigan for the majority of my life. Cars are considered essential.

[_amemoryleak]

Hi Josefina,

Getting around in the Metro Detroit region without a car can be a challenge. It really depends on where you live and work in the region. 90 percent of employers in southeast Michigan are not reachable in 60 minutes with regional transit. Less than half of the region's commuters live within a half mile of transit. In November 2016 there will be a vote on funding for the Regional Transit Master Plan, which would fund additional transit service. The Detroit Department of Transportation provides bus service in the city of Detroit.The suburbs are served by SMART bus. More information about the transit options can be found on the Transit Rider's United website.

If you don't mind a smaller college-town lifestyle, Ann Arbor is a nice city about 40 miles west of Detroit. I lived there without a car for 5 years. The Ride provides bus service there and the University of Michigan also has a bus system. I write about living car-free in this region on my blog at amemoryleak.com.

Hope this helps,

Jess
twitter: @amemoryleak
amemoryleak.com

[tjborromeo]

If you were living in the Pointes (not technically Detroit), you could live without a vehicle, though you would need to find a way into the city of Detroit for work. The 610 suffices if you work in Detroit.

With that out of the way, you are pretty mobile on foot in the Pointes. However, keep in mind that winters are brutal walking or biking, so people prefer vehicles for that reason. Hospitals, Groceries, coffee shops, they are all there within close walking/biking distance.