Is it possible to live in LI and not drive?

I dont know how to drive. It is a huge fear of mine--long story and although I know I have to learn if I want to ever move off my block and have kids..family of course... I am curious for now if there is any place on LI that it is possible to live that has buses/public transportation? Possibly the Massapequa area? Are their Nassau buses that are accessible. I feel like my inability to drive holds me back so much and I know I need to work on this but for the meanwhile Im wondering if relocating b4 the license in place is at all possible.

Re: Is it possible to live in LI and not drive?

hmm..I don;t know the answer to your question...but I would like to find out also...

IS this muchinlovemichi?

I did not know of a name change!

Re: Is it possible to live in LI and not drive?

Posted by Holly

hmm..I don;t know the answer to your question...but I would like to find out also...

IS this muchinlovemichi?

I did not know of a name change!

Re: Is it possible to live in LI and not drive?

It is possible. Not easy, but possible. It is easier in Nassau County than in Suffolk, as the Nassau bus system has better coverage than the Suffolk system b/c it is part of the MTA.

Here is the LINK to info about the bus.

Re: Is it possible to live in LI and not drive?

My nana never learned to drive. She came from Ireland and lived in the city, then she married and lived in the Levittown/Hicksville area. She walked a lot and used buses, and worked locally.

My aunt didn't drive till she was in her early 30s. My mom talked her into it because she was a new mom and my mom was concerned about the baby getting sick and needing to go to the doctor (of course, there are ambulances, but that's only for real emergencies.)

I think it's doable, but you'd rely on your DH a lot. And to be honest, the way people drive on LI, I wonder if you'd be safer in a car. We all used to worry about my nana, but she was out and about till she was 90+, so her age was also a concern.

Re: Is it possible to live in LI and not drive?

Of course it's possible. But you'd be really limited in where you could live and you'd also be quite tied to the crappy public transportation on LI.

Re: Is it possible to live in LI and not drive?

I personally don't think so. Queens would be a better bet, like bayside area

Re: Is it possible to live in LI and not drive?

Re: Is it possible to live in LI and not drive?

Re: Is it possible to live in LI and not drive?

It isn't like when you stand waiting for a bus in NYC or Queens. Those buses come every few minutes. Out buses don't run so often. They are there, but few and far in between.

I grew up on LI and have taken the bus ONCE. In the city I've taken hundreds of buses.

Re: Is it possible to live in LI and not drive?

its doable, but IMO it would be time consuming and frustrating.

Re: Is it possible to live in LI and not drive?

IMO, unless you live in a place like great neck, i would say you definately need a car to live on LI.
I grew up in Wantagh (a few towns over from Massapequa) and you definately need a car.

Re: Is it possible to live in LI and not drive?

I know people that live on LI and don't drive - the reason doesn't matter. If you don't drive because you can't afford to drive or you dont want to get behind the wheel it's all the same. It's not impossible and you figure out a way to make it work. You need to live near places that have access to the transportation and services you need.

I have noticed that a lot of the train stations have small villages or streets with some shops & restaurants that are nearby. I used to live in Floral Park - I had a 10/12 minute walk to the train. I passed every store you would need on a regular basis (food store, pharmacy, card/gift store, nail place, restaurants, pizza place, etc).

IMO, as long as you can get to work fairly easily - the rest of it can be managed with home delivery and car service if you have to.

Message edited 12/13/2009 9:21:03 PM.

Re: Is it possible to live in LI and not drive?

For the record... my brother and SIL live in Massapequa with 3 kids. She didn't drive until about 3 years ago. Her youngest is 7. She walked EVERYWHERE. Even in the rain, even in the snow. If she really needed a ride she would wait for my brother to come home.

Re: Is it possible to live in LI and not drive?

Thanks so much all the advice girls, I will keep it all in mind :)

Re: Is it possible to live in LI and not drive?

It is possible but not as convient as say Queens.

Most parts of LI do not have buses that run that frequently, but some do. Great Neck and Manhasset certaintly do, I know bc I took the N21 to High School it runs from Queens all the way down Northern Blvd past Manhasset. So these areas are pretty accessible, plus they have the LIRR, so getting to NYC isn't a problem it more getting around town.

I would suggest living in an area where a shopping center is close. This way you could easily do grocery shopping, banking etc. without a car.

I am not sure where you work--if it is in NYC--I would say as long as you live near the LIRR in your area and can walk there you will be good.

HTH somewhat

Message edited 12/13/2009 9:52:55 PM.

Re: Is it possible to live in LI and not drive?

Honestly, it is really difficult to do that on LI.

Yes, there are buses and taxis and you can carpool etc..but it's a major PIA.

If you can get food shopping done with a delivery service that helps but I need to go to a store. So I guess I would cab it.

Time consuming and frustrating. If you live on LI you are going to want to drive.

I know that many have phobias about it. My mom did. She survived for 25 years only driving the streets. She never went on a parkway. When we moved from Brooklyn to LI she was miserable about having to get her license. She took her road test 3 times.

Re: Is it possible to live in LI and not drive?

it is possible. my grandparents lived on long island for 40 years and never learned to drive. they would take the train and or public transportation. they never went far otherwise. - friends of theirs and my parents would drive them longer distances if they needed. they lived in valley stream and the furthest they went was freeport or hempstead. i had to take pulic transportion my first year of high school. it was an extra hour each way to get to school. it was frustating and time consuming but doable.

Re: Is it possible to live in LI and not drive?

I know someone who lives on LI and does not drive. She lives near family though, walking distance. How she gets to dr appts, etc, that I dont know but I KNOW its NOT public transportation.

You could live in a town that is walking distance to the LIRR and therefore all transportation. Its def possible.

Message edited 12/13/2009 11:00:10 PM.

Re: Is it possible to live in LI and not drive?

Re: Is it possible to live in LI and not drive?

Yes, if you are willing to walk A LOT.

For example. I have a Best grocery store less than 1 mile from my house. I am just about 1 mile from Hempstead Turnpike and old country rd.

The buses. There are not that many but there are some that will bring you to the mall area, main roads, etc.. The bus stops around me do have customers. I see people along the bus line waiting for buses. So people do use them.

Re: Is it possible to live in LI and not drive?

Re: Is it possible to live in LI and not drive?

Re: Is it possible to live in LI and not drive?

Its tough, maybe move to an area that has A LOT to do within walking distance so you can get out without having to drive so much. Like Huntington maybe? You can walk to anything you need in the vilalge within minutes, depending on how close you are to the village.

Re: Is it possible to live in LI and not drive?

its possible, but not easy. My 80yr old aunt doesn't drive - never has. She's lived on Long Island for 60 years. She pretty much relies on my uncle to take her anywhere.