Health & Fitness
Two Days Without a Car in Los Angeles!
Getting around West L.A. in a bus is very easy to do. I am living proof.
Believe it or not, it really is not that difficult to get around Los Angeles, and esecially West L.A. without a car. I am living proof.
When we take our cars in for service, or body work or whatever in Los Angeles we almost always arrange for a ride, rent a car or, if we go to a dealership, get a loaner. Take a bus? What! And heaven forbid we should consider walking.
Yesterday I took my car in for body work and was going to rent one for the two days it would take. Then I thought I would see how I could survive two days without one.
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The body shop is 3 blocks from my home. I walked.
Lunchtime I walked the 8 blocks to the coffee shop where I usually spend my lunch hours with my computer. And I walked the 8 blocks back. No rides for me.
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I didn’t anticipate needing to show any properties over the two days, but I ended up having to show a condo on the Wilshire Corridor. Panic set in. But I calmed down and went to the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority website and used their Trip Planner to get bus routes and times. I walked the two blocks to the bus which arrived 2 minutes later exactly on time, and I caught my connection. Be aware that you have to have exact change as none is given. I overpaid for my trip by $0.60. Also, don’t expect friendly, warm and fuzzy drivers, although maybe I was unlucky.
Don’t worry about the fact that a shocked friend might scream at you for not calling them to drive you, and then run over to where you are to pick you up and drive you back. They are unenlightened. There is a great public transit system in L.A. that can get you wherever you want to go. No more car rentals for me.