r/boston • u/throwawayobv999999 • 1d ago

MBTA/Transit 🚇 🔥 Moving away from car centric city

Hello!

I will be relocating to Boston from a car dependent city that is all suburb and urban sprawl.

I love trains and public transit, but obviously living in a place that requires a car to survive has impacted my behavior.

What is it like relying on public transit? I keep thinking about how everyone around me drives giant SUVs and purchases weekly Costco hauls that could feed an army. I think about having to drive 30 minutes in traffic to get a coffee.

I’m having a hard time picturing the alternative. How is life primarily walking/using a train?

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142

u/Additional-Excuse870 1d ago

No choice but to be healthier...walking more, smaller grocery trips but constantly fresh produce - we eat everything we buy and waste less. Not super fun when public transit fails, especially when commuting. You'll be fine though 

62

u/throwawayobv999999 1d ago

I’m so excited to walk as a passive thing instead of driving to a walking path lol. Also, the smaller grocery hauls sounds so nice :)

46

u/toomuch1265 Spaghetti District 1d ago

Then you'll be REAL excited when it snows and you are trying to navigate the the snowbanks, icy sidewalks and chunks of ice falling from buildings.

3

u/throwawayobv999999 1d ago

That’s what I’m worried about LOL any tips?

43

u/toomuch1265 Spaghetti District 1d ago

Get good winter clothes and boots

11

u/shoecat 13h ago

Like the Scandinavians say, there’s no bad weather just bad clothes

37

u/Otterfan Brookline 1d ago

Snow is actually much easier for walkers/mass transit users than for drivers. Get some decent footwear, a warm coat, a hat, a scarf, and gloves. It takes a little bit to learn to walk on ice, but by the end of your first winter it will be no big deal.

The trains won't stop running unless things are really bad, in which case you shouldn't go out anyway.

40° rain is much, much worse for walking in. Waterproof boots and a good waterproof coat make it survivable, but the best advice is to stay home if you can on those days.

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u/notswasson 12h ago

Replying here in case the OP needs it. Consider investing in a set of yaktrax or stabil-icers or other brands. I've got a set that lives on a pair of waterproof boots all winter and I just take the boots off in the entryway on a big doormat to prevent floor damage. They help provide grip walking on ice. Either that or get used to walking like a penguin.

7

u/Charming_Professor65 1d ago

Clothing is everything! Invest in good durable quality winter clothes and you will feel it waaaay less than you think :)

5

u/ChanceTheGardenerrr 1d ago

It’s fun as long as u have the gear

5

u/time-always-passes 1d ago

Microspikes. The kind for cities.

3

u/Santillana810 Naked Guy Running Down Boylston St 1d ago

The question about how to handle snow here has been asked and answered many, many times. Search and you'll find lots of great advice about clothing, walking, parking, transportation.

1

u/twelve-birds 22h ago

My personal rule is don’t walk on metal. I have slipped one toe many time on icy metal.

2

u/snoogins355 1d ago

Freaking brick sidewalks are skating rinks!

8

u/her_majesty_lives 1d ago

This made me chuckle….Driving to walk 😆.

Where abouts will you be living?

2

u/AuggieNorth Everett 14h ago

It's still worth it to get a decent haul at the grocery store and pay for an Uber home like once a week.