METCALF MOVING BLOG
Living Without a Car in Minneapolis: Do You Really Need a Vehicle?
On average, it costs people over $8,000 a year to own and operate a new car.
For some people in Minneapolis, this is an expense they would rather not have. Minneapolis ranks high for people who get around without cars.
For others, it’s more about the principle of owning a car in the first place. Perhaps you want to make less of a negative impact on the environment. Maybe you want to see what life is like without the ease of vehicle transportation.
Regardless of your reasoning, check out our helpful guide on what it’s like living without a car in Minneapolis!
The True Cost of Owning a Car
Cars are expensive pieces of machinery.
Not only do they have a price tag in the tens of thousands of dollars, but their long-term price is high as well.
Typically, any car will be more than what you initially thought you’d pay based on loan interest payments, maintenance, repairs, and gas.
You may have reasons other than money for wondering how to get around without a car, though, such as living a healthier lifestyle.
How to Survive Living Without a Car in Minneapolis
The real question here is how are you going to live without a car in Minneapolis? As a proud Minneapolitan, there are probably more options than you know.
Owning a car is not a requirement.
Buses and Bikes
These are some obvious suggestions, but consider getting a bike for getting around. You won’t be able to transport a lot of stuff while on a bicycle, but it can get the job done for shorter trips when you only need to bring a laptop, messenger bag, or backpack.
Buses and the rail are an excellent option for when you can’t or don’t want to ride a bike. This is a good option for the colder months.
Check out Metro Transit for tickets, pricing, and schedules.
Both bikes and buses can make trips to grocery stores difficult though. Unless you’re just grabbing a gallon of milk, transporting all of your goods can be a hassle, if not impossible.
This brings us to various taxi and car-sharing options.
Taxis and Car Sharing
Taxi-like services, such as Uber and Lyft, abound these days. As prevalent as they are, it’s hard to pass up the opportunity to give them a shot.
Car-sharing programs, such as Zipcar are great options to consider as well. As opposed to taxi services where you call for someone to drive you somewhere, car sharing services allow you to pick up a car yourself, drive it, and return it where you got it or leave it for someone else to get.
A great local version of car sharing in Minneapolis is Hourcar.
Your Own Two Feet
This is going to be entirely subjective based on you and where you live, but sometimes it’s great just to walk.
Unless you’re traveling miles at a time, your destination may just be down the block, so consider just walking it yourself. It’s also a great way to discover some of the fun things in Minneapolis. When you take the time to slow down and walk around, you’ll notice a lot more of your surroundings.
Business Insider very recently declared Minneapolis as one of the most walkable cities in the United States.
It’s certainly possible, so stretch those legs, save some money, keep the environment clean, and get in a good workout.
You Can Live Without a Car
If you’re moving to Minneapolis and wondering what it’s like living without a car, hopefully, this guide showed you that it’s possible.
If you need to save money or just want to live a healthier, simpler lifestyle all while helping the environment, consider the options here. Buses, bikes, taxi services, car sharing, and walking are all viable options in Minneapolis.
If you’re planning on moving to the Minneapolis area soon, feel free to contact us for any questions, advice, or to see what moving and storage services we can offer!
