Owning a car in the city is more of a burden than a convenience, amirite?

… in what city, exactly? "The city" is far too broad of a generalization for this to be popular or unpopular. In some cities it's borderline necessary to own a vehicle because of the layout and size. In some European cities it'd be considered ridiculous to own a vehicle because of the emphasis on cycling or public transit.

by Dependent-Bit756 1 day ago

Nope. Lived all over. Many car addicted cities. Ive never needed a car. Sone people just can't imagine life without one

by Anonymous 1 day ago

I sure can, never owned one. My point stands, though.

by Dependent-Bit756 1 day ago

Just because you don't need one doesn't mean that's the norm. Housing location, job location, work hours, children need to get places, quality of public transport/ alternative option to get when you need to when you need to.

by Narrow_Willow 1 day ago

You've never lived in Houston

by Anonymous 1 day ago

I don't think that's an unpopular opinion.

by Keagan17 1 day ago

Eh depends. I live in the city but I travel outside the city frequently for hikes and camping. So yea ai enjoy having a car. For the freedom to do the stuff I love

by Big_Statistician2574 1 day ago

"I only need a car to leave the city" is kind of making the OPs point

by Anonymous 1 day ago

Car ownership is seen as an adulthood badge because 99% of people need a car and are massively burdened by not having one. If you live somewhere that doesn't require a car, this badge doesn't exist. Being able to live life without a car is wonderful and saves a ton of money.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

I wouldn't say that 99% of people are burdened by not having a car though that seems a bit excessive, majority would need one sure but in many places people are just fine with public transportation but even in those cities traffic is a nightmare lol

by Tonilehner 1 day ago

Radically depends on the city, but yes.

by daisyparisian 1 day ago

This is not an unpopular opinion.

by fisherjimmie 1 day ago

Look at you at your city with working public transportation.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

I live in a city and a car is so much better. Sure it's expensive but public transportation is unreliable. If I go grocery shopping and spend $300 in groceries and I supposed to hop on the bus with 30 bags? Order a Lyft for $20? People have kids. Are they supposed to lug around a car seat and hold on an umbrella because it's raining? I think if people just learn how to drive there wouldn't be issues. But when you see drivers and they're texting and not going on the green light or speeding and causing accidents, that's what makes driving insufferable.

by Necessary_Forever521 1 day ago

Fairly weak argument until you got to kids, that part makes sense.

by Dependent-Bit756 1 day ago

Strollers exist. Kids can walk around pretty well and keep up once they hit 6 or so. Kids are an issue, but it's very temporary

by Anonymous 1 day ago

The kids thing I get. But why can't you get groceries delivered or just get a small amount of shopping each day you go out? I prefer fresh food so I do that

by Anonymous 1 day ago

Delivery? No. Do you have any idea how much money delivery adds? You have to pay the delivery fee and you have to tip the driver. If you don't tip the driver you're not getting your stuff. I know from experience. Some people have money to flush down the toilet like that. Some people don't.

by Fun_Increase 1 day ago

But you have to compare all that against the cost of car ownership, and owning a car can be quite expensive.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

You have to compare owning a car against the cost of a lot of things. A monthly bus pass, the time you spend on public transportation, getting to places at public transportation doesn't get to, what do you do if you have to go somewhere and the buses aren't running etc

by Fun_Increase 1 day ago

Of course, it's just a per-person math problem. WFH and live in a major city? Ditch the car and (likely) save money and headache.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

I'm in the UK we don't really do the tipping thing. And delivery for a week's shopping is £3.50 to £5 depending on which time slot I pick. It's cheap and convenient here so I guess I am lucky.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

True in my city, I don't have a car. In fact I don't know how to drive at all.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

NYC is the most anti-car ownership city I've ever encountered.

by Dangerous_End_3436 1 day ago

that's why im getting a motorcycle, always have parking and i get to die in my 20s

by Limp-Molasses 1 day ago

It really depends on the city. I'm in Chicago and before kids I would have agreed with you. After kids no, I really wish I had a car. It's such a pain in the ass getting the wagon on the stroller that my radius of travel shrank by a lot.

by Fun_Increase 1 day ago

Most people will never figure this out.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

For what, exactly? Flexibility, independence, convenience. but in the city? To get outside to the country and do some hikes. You're paying thousands a year in insurance, gas, and endless repairs So do you with your home, or flat although you could live for much cheaper in the woods. Comfortable life has its price.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

I live in a decent sized city. I walk run and cycle everywhere and my wallet and body are in much better shape for it. I occasionally use public transport if I'm in a rush. I get by just fine. It's only ever a problem when I want to travel outside the city or when it comes to dating. For some reason, people view a car as something you're just supposed to have even if you don't need it. And there's a fair few women who won't date a man without a car even if they have their own, which I don't really get, but each to their own I guess.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

It's true: nobody has ever been hurt while driving a car. Not one single person.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

I agree, except when it comes to raising kids. I need a car when it comes to ferrying kids around.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

I grew up taking public transit for the first 12 years of my life, a car is not required to raise kids.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

You're paying thousands a year in insurance, gas, and endless repairs, just to sit in traffic, stress about parking, and deal with other people's road rage. I park in my private parking spot during the week and walk to work. So I don't worry about most of that. For what, exactly? I use my car mainly to drive to my weekend home an hour outside the city. In a city, you can get almost anywhere with public transport, walking, biking, or even rideshare apps without bleeding money or worrying about dents and scratches. In the city is key. I leave the city every weekend where public transportation doesn't exist. I can't imagine being "stuck" in a city all the time. I am often driving 1-2 states away on the weekend.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

I have a very fast car. It's shiny and comfy and makes me happy.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

This is a highly popular opinion

by ondrickaannamae 1 day ago

I live in a city and I own a car. I even agree with you, it's a freaking hassle and stupid expensive. I even think most people would agree with you. The fact that we suffer through those costs just shows you, that the necessity is greater than the pain.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

Public transportation is usually either terrible and dirty or basically non existent many parts of America

by Anonymous 1 day ago