Why Live Near Public Transportation?

By: The Roe Team
SEPTA train at a station

What are the benefits of living near public transportation?

There are several benefits to living near public transportation, including, cost-savings, more predictable commutes, increased productivity, and overall impact to the environment. 

Why do people prefer public transportation?

Public transportation can save significant money ($4,800 to $12,000+ a year), improve the predictability of their commute, and give them time to relax. * Additionally, if you are using public transportation to live in more affordable areas (such as living in Philadelphia and commuting to New York City), you might be able to save $30,00+ a year.

What are the benefits to living near the Train / Public Transit?

Living near a high-quality train has a variety of benefits, including:

  1. Savings on Parking – In most cities, parking is expensive. If you live near public transportation, and don’t need a car, that could be a savings of $100 to $400/month.
  2. Savings on car – Owning a car is expensive. In addition to the car itself, there is car insurance, repairs, tolls, inspections, and gas. If you live near a train and don’t need a car, this could be an additional savings of $300 to $600/month.
  3. Better For Environment – Taking public transportation or the train every day is a model for sustainability and better for the environment.
  4. More Predictable Commute – If you’re taking the train every day, you’ll experience no traffic and a more predictable commute.
  5. Weather” Friendly – While trains do get cancelled and can run late in inclement weather, they generally still operate in the snow and rain, whereas taking a car, especially if not 4-wheel drive during the winter, may not be as easy.
  6. Well located – Most train stops tend to be well located near urban cores or smaller markets that are near commercial shopping centers.
  7. Save Time – If you’re not sitting in traffic, you’ll likely have more time to yourself when you get home (less tired).
  8. Increased Work Productivity – While on the train, you can often do light work such as catching up on emails or reading that article that you wouldn’t have read at the office. If you are driving, you can’t do this.
  9. Increased Quality of Life – Let’s say you have many features on your apartment checklist such as in-unit washer/dryer, wood-plank flooring, high-end finishes, but can’t afford that rent near your job downtown. Perhaps you can have the exact same wishlist by simply saving on rent and taking the train each morning.
  10. Separation of Work and Life – People love the train as it provides time to unwind and helps provide a separation of work and life.

What else to keep in mind when choosing to live near train?

Living near public transit can be good, but make sure you don’t forget about some of the other lifestyle choices:

  • Avoid being too close to the train station for potential noise reasons.
  • Understand various routes available at the specific train station
  • See if the apartment complex you are looking at has car parking, or better yet car parking with EV Chargers, in case you ever change your mind
  • Make sure you like the location. Having a train is nice, but you’ll want to ensure that it’s a great neighborhood, with a good walk score.

If this lifestyle sounds appealing to you, perhaps you look for apartments walking distance to trains you want and whose communities support the lifestyle you embody. Happy transiting!

*assuming parking costs of $100 to $400/month ($1,200 to $4,800 a year) Assuming car insurance, repairs, tolls, inspections, and gas. $300 to $600/month ($3,600 to $7,200/year). Total = $4,800 to $12,000+ per year *This doesn’t take into account car payments (which average monthly car payment for new cars is $716/month), for an additional potential ~$8,600 in savings

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