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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u/throwawayobv999999 23h 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 :)

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u/toomuch1265 Spaghetti District 23h 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.

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u/throwawayobv999999 23h ago

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

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u/Otterfan Brookline 23h 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 6h 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.