This is the question posed on CityNerd video titled “Walkable Cities But They Keep Getting More Affordable”
If you ditched your car, could you afford to leave the suburbs for a great urban neighborhood?
Ray Delahanty answers the question in the 26 biggest US cities.
The analysis assumes the all-in cost of owning and operating a car is $1,000 per month, including purchase, insurance, fuel, and maintenance.
In the city, transportation costs might total about $250 per month for transit passes, biking, ride-hailing, and other small expenses.
This results in an effective $750 per month increase in the housing budget for city center residents who do not own a car.
The results of the video are quite interesting, as you can get more m² in walkable areas in most cities
By all means advocating for walkable cities does not mean everyone needs to live in a walkable city. And it definitely does not mean you personally need to ditch your car if you absolutely still have need of it.
You personally could still choose to drive in from a rural house located a hour or two out of a dense suburban neighborhood like this if you so choose each morning. But don’t deny everyone else that wants to walk down the stairs from their four-plex or small rise condo to grab milk and bread right at the lower level along their neighborhood street.
Also don’t forget we all get older and when we do we will start to loose our ability to drive. Density like this is desperately needed it allows both older folks and children to get around more independently with schools, shops, cafés and pharmacies all within a short walk or quick tram or subway ride.
I’m not in a rural area. I am not denying anyone anything but the freedom of movement my vehicle gives me is worth the extra monetary cost to me.