Is it doable to live in Houston without a car?

[Jessie_Myers]

If so, where is the best place to look for an apartment?

[Gregg_Phillips1]

Sure it is doable. I lived downtown in One Park Place for two years. Easy access to airports, bars/restaraunts and entertainment. The Phonecia on the first floor is awesome.

[Caroline_DuBois]

I would say probably not. Houston is very spread out and driving your own vehicle around town is the way most people get around. However, If you're planning on working in the downtown area there are metro buses that you can take into town or a metro rail line that stays within the downtown area.

It completely depends on your work situation and where your office is when deciding where you want to live - particularly if you want a short/easy commute.

Generally though, the most 'walkable' areas to live are probably Midtown & The Heights. They are both 'in the loop' and centrally located.

Other than the metro buses or rail line, the best alternative is probably uber. Most people generally have their own car though.

[Desmond_Ojeda]

The quick answer is no, with some exceptions. Houston unfortunately is not a town known for its public transportation. If you somehow happen to live downtown or close to it, you can get around by the metro rail. There is also a metro bus that runs around town. The area along Memorial Dr and Allen Parkway by Buffalo Bayou has some great apartments, but kind of on the higher priced side. But that area offers more areas to walk, bicycle or ride the bus. But for the majority of living in Houston, it is a driving city. Without a car, good luck getting out to the rest of the city outside of downtown and surrounding area.

[Stefan_Theard]

It is very do-able if you live and work inside the loop, it is just miserable to do so. If you happen to work right next to a grocery store (HEB on W alabama for example) and can get a place to live near by, you'll be fine. Otherwise no.

I live in midtown a block away from the train and work downtown and I can get by driving only once every other week to go to the grocery store assuming I don't go anywhere for entertainment outside of montrose/midtown/downtown.

[entropos]

Not if you can't live near where you work. I live and work inside the loop; my commute by bike is 6 miles and easy. If you are going to be working near Downtown or going to school at UH then the East End would be perfect

[Rob_Dauphin]

I agree with Desmond. Bus system in Houston works but at a snails pace. Could take hours to get from one side of the city to the other depending on the line you're on.

Montrose is another great walkable neighborhood with some of the best bars and restaurants. Close proximity to downtown and midtown pretty much everything is within a $10 uber.

[entropos]

Not if you can't live near where you work. I live and work and inside the loop; my commute by bike is 6 miles and easy. If you are going to be working near Downtown or going to school at UH then the East End would be perfect for livin without a car.

[John_Gorman]

Yes, but only in certain neighborhoods and only if you live at least somewhat near where you work. I've met multiple people who live in Houston without a car (in fact, one of my roommates had a car but used it one time in the course of a year). However, I'd say at least 98% of people in Houston need a car. Midtown, Downtown, and Montrose are probably the easiest places to live without a car, with specific pockets of a few other neighborhoods being walkable/bikeable as well.

[Jared_Bevis]

In general No, unless you're fortunate to have an employer in either Galleria or Greenway Plaza areas. If you plan on taking a bus for what should be a 15 minute commute in a car, then you'll actually spend closer to 3-4 hours. Don't count on any public transit unless you happen to be along the light-rail.

[Brett_Brett]

I lived in Montrose without a car for 4 years, and enjoyed walking and biking everywhere. Then I got a scooter, then a car. It is possible, but not the cultural norm here.

[Ron_Vutpakdi]

Public transportation is mediocre, but people do get by without a car. Being along one of the main arteries (Westheimer or Main/Fannin for example), helps.

Best area and whether not having a car is doable all depends on where your job is relative to where you want to live. Some areas make it pretty easy to not have a car if you work fairly close by, especially in the age of Uber and if you are willing to sweat on a bike or by walking.

For example, if your job is in the Galleria area, you can pretty easily find an apartment in the area (albeit pricey) that allows you to forgo a car.

I suggest looking for identifying a job and its location and then looking to find an apartment nearby.