Grew up near Boston, went to high school in Dorchester, and lived in Charlestown. I am welled versed with the T and the bus grid. The problem is that when I say I live outside Boston, I mean 30 miles outside Boston. It's just easier to say that instead of Upton, MA, and get the 'where's that' all the time.

If I lived in-town, I would definitely be car-free. I know that that sounds like the 'if only' type of gripe that is mocked here so often, but it is true. I live out her because I work out here, and I like living in the woods, but my town has no grocery store or pharmacy, just a couple convenience type stores and a couple sub shop type places. Groceries are over 6 miles away one way, as is a pharmacy.

Now, we buy most of our veg and such from a farm up the street, and my wife coordinates the shopping between Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, BJ's, and Stop and Shop to minimize the driving, but if you live out here, you are best served by at least 'car light'. This is more to do with the sprawl associated with living in the U.S. and the lack of developed pub-trans in any areas other than urban. I bought groceries last night on my bike commute home, and did fine, but the store is on the way home. I suppose you could go car-free out here, but it would involve severely cutting back on things.