Can I Live In Barrington Without A Car?

For an English girl that when living at home used to walk everywhere, this might seem an odd question. But once I moved to the US it was apparent that walking everywhere was really not possible, even just to a few places would present hurdles.

So can I live in Barrington without a car? Well the answer is it depends where in Barrington I live and what I might need that Barringtn does not have.

Where in Barrington should I live so I can walk everywhere?

Barrington is a big place and I am referring to the entire zip code of 60010, but to be close to things I need that I can walk to, my best bet is the Village of Barrington and close to the center. How does this help me? Here are the things I can walk to if I live close to the center of the village:

• The Library
• The Pharmacy
• The Catlow Theater
• Jewel Osco - a large chain grocery store
• Small stores
• The Post Office
• UPS store
• Lots of restaurants.
• The Metra train station
• Elementary Schools
• One Middle school-the other is too far out.
• The High School-on the outskirts but if I live on the west side it's not too far.
• Churches
• Doctors and dentist offices
• Attorneys
• Parks

So I can sleep, eat, get better, ship gifts and letters, dine, send my kids to school, worship, in fact I can do many of the day to day things. I can even get on a train and visit friends in different towns like Palatine, Cary, Arlington Heights and go downtown to Chicago where walking to everything is easier.

What can't I do because I can only walk?

• I cannot buy a lot of groceries at a time, I have to carry them home. I could use Peapod!
• There is no regular bus service, although there is a senior citizen bus service.
• I cannot go to buy big items, so online with delivery charges resolves that.
• Get to the hospitals to visit friends or family as needed.
• Get to work unless it's close to Metra. Chicago seems fine.