<p>Just wondering how popular is living in SLO without a car? I am applying for grad studies at Cal Poly. If I get accepted, a major factor in whether I go will come down to logistics of living. I don’t have a car so I need to be able to get from my classes to my house, from my workplace to my house, and be able to run errands like grocery shopping, laundry, shopping, doctor visits etc. without a car. Also feel safe walking everywhere. Advice needed, please be honest! Thanks!</p>
<p>My daughter has been attending Cal Poly for two years without a car and has been managing ok. The SLO Transit provides free bus service for Cal Poly students (check their website for schedule, pickup locations, etc), and there is the Zipcar car-sharing service where cars can be rented for $8/hr ([Cal</a> Poly, San Luis Obispo – Zipcar](<a href=“http://www.zipcar.com/calpoly/]Cal”>Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo Car Sharing | Zipcar at Cal Poly SLO)). There are also RTA buses in town that give student discounts. San Luis Obispo is a very bike-friendly town so that’s another good transportation option. I must say that my daughter ends up relying pretty heavily on friends/roommates who own cars (especially for big grocery shopping trips), and will probably end up bringing her car next year mainly for convenience since she’ll be living off-campus. But San Luis Obispo is a nice small town where I believe it is manageable to live without a car.</p>
<p>Forgot to mention that we always feel safe when we visit our daughter and walk through town in SLO, even at night. It has a great small-town atmosphere, and you will feel comfortable walking everywhere - and it’s good exercise too! And I can’t say that for many other cities, e.g. L.A., where I am originally from.</p>
<p>Thank you! Yes I do know that LA is a city where you need a car so I am trying to get a feel for what it is like elsewhere. I am from New York, and in NYC it is very easy to get anywhere by walking, taxi, subway, to the point where owning a car is actually a hassle. I’m hoping to find a community where not only is it feasible to live without a car, but it’s part of the city culture.</p>
<p>You’ll be fine without a car! Just learn the bus system (free for cal poly students) and you’ll be fine. Everything you’ll need is relatively close, even if you’re walking. </p>
<p>As for safety, the only place you should avoid at night is the mission. Other than that, you’ll be able to walk everywhere and feel safe.</p>
<p>You will be fine getting to downtown, but going to the beach or other towns or other cities won’t be easy. The SLO bus can take you to Costco and the big box shopping centers.</p>
<p>My son has a car but finds it much more convenient to take the bus to campus. He lives in an off-campus apartment complex catering to students. The bus drops him off closer to his classes than if he parked in the student lot and walked from there.</p>