Why do so many people who live in walking distance to a metro still drive to work?

[Anonymous]

0.8 mile or 15 min walk to metro in Arlington. Did it for two years. Metro commute was 35-40 mins all in with walking and waiting. Started driving. It's five miles drive but commute is 25-40 mins in the morning, but 9-15 mins in the evening. With a subsidized spot at work, the quick ride home more than justified the switch for me. Still walk to the amenities but we barely use metro anymore.

[Anonymous]

So if Metro is so terrible why pay a premium for living near it?

[Anonymous]

Metro is expensive if your work doesn't pay. DH metros every day, but he works for govt which covers metro.

[Anonymous]

My husband drives because it is a 25 minute commute vs a 45 minute commute. The parking isn't much more expensive than the metro fare. Also gives more flexibility for kid drop off / pick up etc.

[Anonymous]

It is often quicker and some of parking with their job. Also- some do kid pick up, etc. in which they need a car. I find a lot of my neighbors also bike to work. Some use Metro about 1/2 the week--drive other days. Some are full-on Metro only.

We live in Clarendon and we usually drive into DC, the zoo, etc. because it is so much quicker than Metro. At the zoo in 10 min. at 10am. Also- if I have to switch trains forget about it.

Close-in means driving is an actual option. It doesn't always equate to public transportation.

But- I disagree with the other pp. People walk everywhere in my neighborhood for daily stuff---the grocery stores, elem school (0.75 miles), gym, restaurants, dry cleaners. There are always neighbors all over town.

[Anonymous]

Metro from Bethesda - No. VA for work = 50min-1hr
Driving = 20-25 min

Once my kids are grown, I will metro again. I was caught too many times having to get a 50 dollar cab home to attend to family emergencies.

I would have moved, but the outcry from the kids was too intense.

[Anonymous]

For me, it has always been about the heat and humidity, which just continues on the platform and often in the cars.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For me, it has always been about the heat and humidity, which just continues on the platform and often in the cars.

I agree. I also got tired of arriving to work a sweaty mess, or shivering and with snot running down my nose. I considered taking Metro just in more temperate weather, but it just isn't worth it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I imagine it will be harder once our first kid is born, but I am only researching day cares within walking distance of either the metro by our house or the ones by our workplaces, because I am dead set against driving in rush hour traffic around here. I just can't stand it. If that means it's less efficient or I walk more ... well, I like walking anyway, and having never owned a car until my thirties, I am well used to it. But not everyone has the flexibility or ability to make this choice.

I understand the sentiment, but once you experience the reality of hauling the kid and all the kid's stuff on your person, you may change your mind. Plus it shoehorns you into the choice of daycares that may not make the list otherwise.

[Anonymous]

Why pay a premium for living near the metro if I don't use it to commute?

Well, in addition to living within a mile of the orange line in Arlington, I also live within walking distance of:

My DH's office
My kids' high school
supermarket/drugstore
library
ice cream shop
coffee shop
liquor store
dry cleaner
restaurants
bike path

My teenagers walk/bike/metro everywhere and don't need to drive. AND we can get downtown by car in 10 minutes during non-rush hours.

That's why I paid a "premium" for my 1300 square foot circa 1930s house.

[Anonymous]

I WAH 100% and live 2 blocks from the Metro.

I live here for the urban lifestyle and proximity to DC for play.

We can jog or bike into DC and walk to everything. Metro is nice for our visitors ( which is prob why we have so many since we moved here )

[Anonymous]

Is your kitchen too small to keep ice cream and a coffee pot.

Truthfully I wonder. My friend walks to get coffee every morning and then comes back to shower and get ready for work, so yes, basically walks to get coffee in Pjs. I find it bizarre.

Anonymous wrote:Why pay a premium for living near the metro if I don't use it to commute?

Well, in addition to living within a mile of the orange line in Arlington, I also live within walking distance of:

My DH's office
My kids' high school
supermarket/drugstore
library
ice cream shop
coffee shop
liquor store
dry cleaner
restaurants
bike path

My teenagers walk/bike/metro everywhere and don't need to drive. AND we can get downtown by car in 10 minutes during non-rush hours.

That's why I paid a "premium" for my 1300 square foot circa 1930s house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

My friend walks to get coffee every morning and then comes back to shower and get ready for work, so yes, basically walks to get coffee in Pjs. I find it bizarre.

Haha - I'm picturing this now. Amusing

[Anonymous]

Having visited other countries, I can't understand how Metro (and other public transportation) can't follow a schedule. NOTHING is ever on time. Or you get two buses/trains back to back and then wait 30min for the next one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

My friend walks to get coffee every morning and then comes back to shower and get ready for work, so yes, basically walks to get coffee in Pjs. I find it bizarre.

Haha - I'm picturing this now. Amusing

I assume you live in the outer burbs, and walkability is not important to you at all? If not, how is a morning walk in Arlington or Bethesda any different than someone living on Capitol Hill or any other walkable neighborhood in DC?

We live in Arlington. I appreciate that others value a more urban environment however living in most of DC proper would not be for me. That said, I do like that I also can walk to a number of local things including a few restaurants, park, library and my kids' schools simply because it is nice to not be completely beholden to your car. Exercise and fresh air are nice!