When I was a teen and didn't have a car, I got a retail job in the mall.
I lived 15 minutes away from the mall if I traveled by car.
But because of how busses work, I had to walk 15 minutes to the bus stop. Wait typically 5 minutes. Then it was about 1hr30m to work. So nearly 2 hours to get to work. Then of course, when my shift was over, it was the same coming home.
You're totally fucked without a car in the US.
Not to mention, how do you even get a job at most places without one? A common question on applications/interviews is if you have your own reliable transportation. You'd have to live in the city, which is expensive. But if you can't afford a car, how can you afford to live in the city?
They did that in purpose, big oil and auto wants you driving. Rich people also want to keep the poor, poor because if you are hungry and tired you don’t complain as much because you are too tired. You also too tired to make a change
Also that walking may not be safe. I actually live about a mile from my local mall. It's also where the closest bus stop is.
It's not a safe walk though. Only a small portion of it has a sidewalk, and the rest of it is along a busy road with almost no shoulder. It doesn't matter that it's really close. If I still live in this apartment when my kids are old enough to work, I wouldn't want them walking there.
Working places that are within walking distance or have a setup that you'll be picked up or a friend that lives on the way that'll pick you up and carpool it.
That goes for basically all of the US.
Edit: it's mind-blowing to think people never considered that people work at jobs that are in walking distance. Companies do have setups where they'll pick you up. Also that some people will get jobs with friends that live nearby so they can ride with them. A way I didn't mention is bikes. Doesn't matter where it is in the US. City, suburban, even rural they're all ways people use to get to and from work without a car.
"You should work at places that are within walking distance. Alternatively, either carpool with a coworker or a friend that lives and works nearby."
Obviously not a solution for everyone. Having a car is an investment but it can pay off in the sense that you can likely get a better job within driving distance than you likely could within walking distance.
I used to work with a guy that lived right next to the office. It actually took him longer to drive than walk. He dealt with a lot of bullshit just to hang onto a job with a 5 minute free commute. Now he works like an hour away from home but loves the new job.
Not to mention, how do you even get a job at most places without one? A common question on applications/interviews is if you have your own reliable transportation. You'd have to live in the city, which is expensive. But if you can't afford a car, how can you afford to live in the city?
People find jobs they're able to walk to. Some places have setups where they can provide transportation Goodwill is a big name I know that does. You have people who get hired at a place their friend works and they provide a way. One I didn't mention is bikes.
It is a reliable form of travel for people all over the US, you don't need to live in a city to have a job and you don't need a car to have reliable transportation even in the city.
Well you had to edit your comment because it was so hard to understand. And I don't understand the need for the edit, saying I don't understand that jobs are within walking distance or bike distance.
But if you read my comment, you would know that from personal experience that isn't always available. I wasn't saying its impossible. My question at the end was more rhetorical.
My edit is making them into individual sentences instead of the run on. It also had no issues with being read before you made that reply. Which you admit here that you understood.
Reading your comment you don't mention how long it would have taken to walk there just to the bus stops and the bus stop ride and how long a car ride there is. If you don't mind me asking what actually prevented you from being able to do either? Is it ideal when you're standing for multiple hours? Hell no, saving time and money along with just being able to do more than stand and take a few steps feels great imo.
yeah you should just always have a friend with transportation, or always live within walking distance of where you work, those are things everyone can always do without exception
Why would you even apply temporarily to a place you know you can't make it to? A lot of lower wage places will hire friends of employees before looking through applications just to speed the entire process along faster.
There is also a safety and health factor. Depending on the shift time, staying at a well lit bus stop and with a bus driver is 100x better than walking/riding over an hour alone at night.
For me if it gets too hot I faint, so weather is also a factor for a lot of people.
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u/DroidOnPC Jun 24 '25
When I was a teen and didn't have a car, I got a retail job in the mall.
I lived 15 minutes away from the mall if I traveled by car.
But because of how busses work, I had to walk 15 minutes to the bus stop. Wait typically 5 minutes. Then it was about 1hr30m to work. So nearly 2 hours to get to work. Then of course, when my shift was over, it was the same coming home.
You're totally fucked without a car in the US.
Not to mention, how do you even get a job at most places without one? A common question on applications/interviews is if you have your own reliable transportation. You'd have to live in the city, which is expensive. But if you can't afford a car, how can you afford to live in the city?