Moving when you don’t have a car can feel kind of scary, right? You need to be able to access everything without being able to physically drive there. When you’re unlicensed, you might feel like your options are limited. 

It is possible to live in Dallas without a car. The city has a fantastic public transportation system, including buses and a light rail. Depending on your neighborhood, you can ride your bike or walk to restaurants and grocery stores, or use a rideshare app for longer or last-minute rides. 

Living in Dallas Without a Car

Although you now know that you certainly can live in Dallas without a car, there are still several more things you should know before doing so. 

First, it’s important to understand that Dallas is seriously big! In fact, it is 999.2 km², making it one of the 20 largest in the entire country. 

That means that Dallas isn’t technically walkable; however, because the city is divided into multiple neighborhoods, if you work, live, and eat within the same area, you can absolutely live there without a car. 

So as long as you carefully select the neighborhood you plan to live in, not having a car can actually save you quite a bit of time and frustration! 

Public Transportation

The public transportation in Dallas is affordable and reliable. You can take a bus to almost anywhere in the city, and a single ride is only $1.

You can also take the train in Dallas, which is called DART and costs $2.50 per ride. The DART spans 93 miles, making it one of the longest light rail systems in the USA. 

However, you will want to ensure that your home is near a bus or DART stop, as they can be quite spread out. 

Where Can You Live in Dallas Without a Car?

When moving to Dallas without a car, you should be attentive to which neighborhood you choose, as it can make all the difference.

Downtown Dallas

Downtown is arguably the best place to live in Dallas without a car. And the reason is simply that everything you could possibly need, such as restaurants, grocery stores, clothing stores, and probably your office, is there! 

As well, Downtown is completely walkable, and public transport is very easy to use. 

Oak Lawn

If you love a lively nightlife and being outside in nature, there is no better neighborhood in Dallas than Oak Lawn.

It offers popular hiking trails, fantastic restaurants, and tons of green space for you to enjoy. And the best part is, you can walk or bike to all of it! 

Knox-Henderson

Located between Highland Park, Uptown, and Oaklawn, the Knox-Henderson neighborhood couldn’t be in a better location. 

It has a great shopping center, biking and hiking trails, and fun gastropubs. Although it’s close to everything, you may never want to leave your neighborhood! 

This means, of course, that you can have a great and fulfilling life in Dallas without a car. 

Ways to Get Around Dallas Without a Car

Because Dallas is so spread out, even if you live in a great neighborhood with access to food, entertainment, and even your workplace, you will still need to know how to get around for those days when you want to get out of your area. 

Here are the best ways to get around Dallas without a car:

  • Biking: You can either purchase your own bicycle or pay for a subscription to the city’s bike share system, VBikes. VBike locations are scattered around the city and are a super easy way to get from point A to point B, all while staying healthy! 
  • Public Transport: Between the bus system and the light rail system, DART, public transportation in Dallas is affordable and easy to use! Although it might take a little longer to get from place to place, it is certainly a great option if you don’t have a car. 
  • Rideshare: Although it’s often the most expensive option, you can always use a rideshare app such as Uber or Lyft to get around Dallas. Cars are plentiful, and you’ll never wait for more than a few minutes for a ride. 

And now, you not only know that it is possible to live in Dallas without a car, but you also know all the great ways to get around without one!