[ghaff]

That applies to a number of cities but that's the caveat. Especially if you're a bit older, it's common for friends to live outside the city, many jobs aren't in the city, there are activities you might like to do outside the city etc. Yes, there are rental cars but that's the type of thing I was getting at with my comment about cultural expectations.

Everyone in my circle who lives in Boston/Cambridge owns a car.

[hparadiz]

When I lived in Philly I still drove to do my shopping but I had coworkers that didn't even have cars.