Getting around without a car in retirement

Many people plan for retirement assuming they'll always drive. But eyesight, health, or simply preference can change that, and a place that's easy with a car can become isolating without one. It's worth asking early: if we stopped driving, could we still live well here?

Regular transit

Start with the buses, light rail or trains that run near where you'd live. Look at how often they run, whether service continues in the evening and on weekends, and whether stops are a comfortable walk away. A route that runs every 15 minutes is a very different thing from one that runs once an hour.

Transit systems that receive federal funding offer reduced fares to people 65 and older and to people with disabilities, at least outside rush hours. Many offer more than that.

Paratransit

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, public transit systems with fixed routes must also offer paratransit: shared, door-to-door or curb-to-curb rides for people whose disability prevents them from using regular buses or trains. It has to cover the area within three-quarters of a mile of the regular routes, during the same hours, and the fare can be no more than twice the regular fare.

You usually have to apply and be found eligible, and rides are typically booked a day ahead. It's reliable for appointments but less suited to spontaneous trips.

Dial-a-ride and senior ride programs

Many areas also run dial-a-ride or demand-response services open to older adults, sometimes beyond the paratransit area. Volunteer driver programs, often arranged through the local Area Agency on Aging, can help with medical appointments and errands. The Eldercare Locator (1-800-677-1116, or eldercare.acl.gov) can point you to what's available near a given address.

Rideshare, taxis and robotaxis

Rideshare apps and taxis fill many gaps, though costs add up with frequent use. In a growing number of cities, driverless ride services now operate too, and some people find them comfortable for evening trips or for avoiding long waits outside in heat or cold. What's available, and where it can take you, varies a great deal by city, so check what actually operates in the neighborhoods you'd use.

The airport

If you'll travel to see family, look at how you'd reach the nearest major airport without driving: a direct rail or bus link, a scheduled airport shuttle, or a ride service. Think about the trip home too, which is often late, tired and carrying luggage.

Weather and the walk to the stop

Transit that works in mild weather can be hard in a desert summer or a snowy winter. Shade, shelters, sidewalks and curb cuts matter more than people expect, especially if walking is harder for you.

A practical test

Before you commit to a place, try living there without your car for a few days. Get to a doctor's office, the grocery store, an evening activity and the airport. You'll learn more from that than from any map.

This is general information. Services, fares and eligibility rules vary by area, so check with the local transit agency and senior services.