Is driving a "requirement" in Canada?
#46
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Joined: Jun 2015
Location: Wellington, NZ (ex. London, UK)
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Re: Is driving a "requirement" in Canada?
Great, thanks again all for the info
I'll have to go through the driving rules for each area and see what's what - will probably be a little before I decide on a couple of places to visit out anyway.
I'll have to go through the driving rules for each area and see what's what - will probably be a little before I decide on a couple of places to visit out anyway.
#47
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Re: Is driving a "requirement" in Canada?
As someone quoted in another thread find a job first then worry about other details such as schooling or transit.
You could live in a city with great transit and great schools but if you haven't got a job in close proximity then its pointless.
If you choose a larger city to live in then most will have adequate transit systems.
If you choose to live in a rural area then chances are you will need a car.
You could live in a city with great transit and great schools but if you haven't got a job in close proximity then its pointless.
If you choose a larger city to live in then most will have adequate transit systems.
If you choose to live in a rural area then chances are you will need a car.
#48
Re: Is driving a "requirement" in Canada?
I don't drive. I spent 8 years in Edmonton Alberta, but came back to the UK last year.
In order for me to survive as a non-driver in Edmo, we had to buy a house near the centre, because public transport links are poor in the suburbs. The bus service is good, but even a five minutes wait, when the temperature is below -30° becomes a life or death experience!
So, you can survive without a car, but your options will be more limited that in the UK.
In order for me to survive as a non-driver in Edmo, we had to buy a house near the centre, because public transport links are poor in the suburbs. The bus service is good, but even a five minutes wait, when the temperature is below -30° becomes a life or death experience!
So, you can survive without a car, but your options will be more limited that in the UK.
#49
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Location: Vancouver, BC
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Re: Is driving a "requirement" in Canada?
Vancouver is great for cycling I find. I cycle about 13km each way to and from work each day and I only meet about 15-20 cars a long the way. Much different from the previous cycling commutes were I was basically being pushed into the gutter by the passing traffic.
#50
Re: Is driving a "requirement" in Canada?
Was not a good day for using transit to work in Toronto today as they closed the whole subway system down for 2 hours during the morning rush hour.
#52
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Location: Wellington, NZ (ex. London, UK)
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Re: Is driving a "requirement" in Canada?
While I understand your point, I think something would be amiss if I didn't look into these things as well. Having a rough idea where I could be looking and what to expect is just as important I think.
#53
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Re: Is driving a "requirement" in Canada?
I've lived in Vancouver for over 5 years, and I have never driven. Never needed to. Good public transit. Depends where you live. If you live in big city, it is not a requirement. If you live in the sticks, then more than likely.
#54
Re: Is driving a "requirement" in Canada?
If you want to see and experience more than buildings in the city you need a car for sure!
I take a nice 3 hour drive every fortnight and take the kids out to spot wildlife,it's a great change of scenery.
I take a nice 3 hour drive every fortnight and take the kids out to spot wildlife,it's a great change of scenery.
#55
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Location: White Rock BC
Posts: 11,682
Re: Is driving a "requirement" in Canada?
You can access the wilderness by transit from Vancouver. A vehicle helps, but you can manage without.
Last edited by JonboyE; Jun 10th 2015 at 2:04 am.
#56
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Location: BC, Canada
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Re: Is driving a "requirement" in Canada?
I used to give advice to people attending conferences on how to get out and about without taking expensive tours or renting a car
I starting doing it for a couple of conferences of societies that we were members of, then gradually got asked to do it for a couple of others .......... unpaid, voluntary!
But, yes, it is easy enough to do it
You get up to Lynn Valley on transit, and cross a swinging bridge for free, instead of taking a tour to Capilano and paying some exorbitant price to enter their private property.
You can get to Horseshoe Bay, and then access some of the climbing areas from there, such as Black Mountain
You can get down to Steveston on transit, go whale watching from there, enjoy a working harbour, etc
It's a long day, but you can even take a day trip to Victoria using public transit, and it will only cost you about $20-25 each way in fares.
I starting doing it for a couple of conferences of societies that we were members of, then gradually got asked to do it for a couple of others .......... unpaid, voluntary!
But, yes, it is easy enough to do it
You get up to Lynn Valley on transit, and cross a swinging bridge for free, instead of taking a tour to Capilano and paying some exorbitant price to enter their private property.
You can get to Horseshoe Bay, and then access some of the climbing areas from there, such as Black Mountain
You can get down to Steveston on transit, go whale watching from there, enjoy a working harbour, etc
It's a long day, but you can even take a day trip to Victoria using public transit, and it will only cost you about $20-25 each way in fares.
#58
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 0
Re: Is driving a "requirement" in Canada?
BC Ferries Schedules: Bowen Island - Vancouver(Snug Cove-Horseshoe Bay)
$12.10 walk on without a vehicle.
Several ferries per day, and I think the island has limited transit service.
Horseshoe Bay is easy to get to by transit, depending on what route you take, expect 45 to 1 hour min ride from downtown to the terminal on the bus.
#59
Re: Is driving a "requirement" in Canada?
I know lots of people in Toronto who don't drive but they tend to be urban people, if they leave Hogtown it's to go to NYC or Montreal for a bit of excitement. I barely moved the car for a decade in Toronto but I didn't go up past Bloor. We even walked to Loblaws and took a cab back rather than bother with driving in the traffic.
#60
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Re: Is driving a "requirement" in Canada?
Like anywhere else, it depends on where you live in Canada. My wife and I lived in Toronto for 4 years without a car. We chose to live at Yonge/Eglinton within an easy walk of the subway, bus stop, bars, restaurants, shops etc. We could both get to work via public transit.
We bought a car when the first kid arrived. So having kids may change things in terms of whether public transit is sufficient for all your needs. We still used public transit after we had kids but the car made it much easier to do certain things e.g. grocery shopping. A baby tends to add a lot of stuff to the weekly shop e.g. diapers.
We bought a car when the first kid arrived. So having kids may change things in terms of whether public transit is sufficient for all your needs. We still used public transit after we had kids but the car made it much easier to do certain things e.g. grocery shopping. A baby tends to add a lot of stuff to the weekly shop e.g. diapers.