When I decided to move across the country, I wanted a total reset — new city, new pace, and maybe even a new way of getting around.
For years, owning a car had been a major source of anxiety for me — so, part of changing my life entirely meant getting rid of my car, too.
I know this idea might sound foreign to some people, but I’ve had so much anxiety around driving for years. I’m scared of getting in a car accident and also scared of other drivers with road rage. I’ve never really had a reliable vehicle, so I constantly worried that my car wouldn’t start when I needed it most. When I lived in Austin, my Jeep was broken into twice, which only added another layer of fear.
Getting rid of my car wasn’t a dealbreaker for moving — but it was something on my list.
When I read that some people live without a car in Buffalo, that was a huge selling point. It’s one reason I chose to live downtown — I’m within walking distance to bars, restaurants, a library, corner stores, the canal, and KeyBank Center, among other things.
There are lots of Reddit conversations about whether people can live in Buffalo without a car, and it’s pretty split.
People with cars say there’s no way you could live here without one, and people without cars say it’s totally possible. Of course, it depends on where you live and what you need to get by. Downtown has a walkability score of 92, and so far, I’ve had no issues — truly.
When I told people I was moving to Buffalo, they had all kinds of wild things to say (I wrote an entire blog post on that), but especially when I mentioned that I wasn’t bringing a car.
One person said, “It’s probably so hilly there,” which made me laugh — it’s mostly flat! I’ve lived here almost three months and haven’t encountered a hill yet. Another friend asked, “You don’t think you’ll ever need a vehicle?”
No… I didn’t think that. But I also knew I could figure it out when I did need a car.
Selling My Car Through Carvana
Once I committed to selling my car, I looked into the best way to do it and ended up going with Carvana. People suggested that I post ads and sell my car privately, but that didn’t feel safe — plus, dealing with buyers, test drives, and secure payments sounded exhausting. My Jeep was 13 years old and not very reliable at that point.
I was grateful for the time it served me — it was the first car I ever paid off, and I drove it for five years without a payment, which helped me so much financially. I was sad to see it go, but I tried to let it go with gratitude.
How it worked: I filled out some information about my car online — mileage, condition, VIN — and got an instant offer.
Carvana lets you either drop off the car at one of their vending machine locations or pay a small fee for pickup. I chose the pickup option and scheduled a time. The driver arrived right on time, walked around the car, took it for a short drive, and I signed it over.
He loaded it onto the truck, and that was that. The whole process took about 15 minutes, and the money was directly deposited into my account within three business days.
For comparison, I checked CarMax too — but their offer was about $600 less. I honestly have no idea if either offer was “fair,” but I was completely fine with it. I was ready to offload the vehicle and move on.
The Practical Side of Going Car-Free
If I had decided to keep my car, I would’ve had to deal with the cost and stress of parking.
Downtown apartment buildings typically charge $150–$200 per month for parking, and in my building, the enclosed garage costs $200/month.
When I looked at suburban apartments, street parking was the norm — and from what I’ve seen online, car break-ins and thefts are pretty common in those areas.
Then there’s winter. Buffalo’s snowy season is no joke, and driving in it comes with its own challenges — snow tires, scraping ice, dealing with salty slush, and the rust that comes from it.
The roads are heavily salted here, which is great for safety but tough on vehicles. I’ve driven in snow before, and while I can, it just adds to my anxiety.
And honestly — why do I need a vehicle right now? I work from home, and I get groceries delivered through Imperfect Foods (more on that here). Most places I go are places I want to be, like the library or a local café.
Navigating Buffalo Without a Car
While Buffalo’s public transportation isn’t as robust as New York City’s, it does the job.
The NFTA-Metro runs both buses and a light rail line. The train is free when it’s above ground, and once it goes underground, it costs $2. Each bus ride is also $2 (or $5 for a day pass). You can track routes and arrival times using the NFTA-Metro app or Google Maps, which helps a lot.
Since moving here, I’ve walked anywhere within about a one-mile radius. For anything farther, I take the bus or train (or a combination).
I’ve used rideshare twice — both times for vet-related appointments for Blanche (no worries, she is all good!). I looked into taking the bus for those, but it just wasn’t practical. Blanche is honestly my biggest concern about not having a car — what if there’s an emergency? But I try not to live in “what ifs.” I’d figure it out if it ever happened — likely by taking a rideshare.
Once I started using the bus, I learned the routes — where to get on and off, and what times are best. The drivers are often the same on each route, so they recognize regulars and even remember where you get off, which is really nice.
A few weekends ago, I ventured out the farthest I’ve gone yet — about 10 miles away for a hair appointment. It took about an hour each way with the train and bus, but it only cost me $8 round trip. A rideshare would’ve been $40–$50.
Sure, having a car would be more convenient, but not paying $200/month for a parking spot, plus gas, insurance, and maintenance, feels like a big win. I keep a small fund for public transit and the occasional Lyft ride, but it’s still way less than the cost of owning a car.
Adjusting to Walking Everywhere
Even though I let go of a lot of fear when I sold my car, walking places brings new worries sometimes — but that’s life. I want to build thicker skin, and so far, it’s been totally fine. I’ve learned so much about my surroundings, and I’m starting to feel like I really know my neighborhood.
I was so nervous to take the bus the first few times, but now I don’t think twice. While waiting isn’t always fun, I usually pop in my headphones, listen to a podcast, or bring a book. Walking saves money, sure — but I truly appreciate it for how it makes me feel independent, gets me moving, and is better for the environment.
If I decide at some point that I need a car again, I’ll get one! But for now, car-free is working out great.
The Trade-Offs
What I miss: Blasting music in my car — it’s just not the same with headphones, and the convenience of hopping in and going wherever, whenever.
What I don’t miss: Paying for parking, gas, or insurance; worrying about repairs or break-ins; and feeling anxious every time I get behind the wheel.
Final Thoughts
I know living without a car isn’t realistic for everyone — and maybe not forever for me, either.
But for now, it feels like freedom. Every time I walk to the library, grab a coffee, or hop on the train, I’m reminded that I built a life that actually fits me.
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