Every car owner who moves to Manhattan faces the same dilemma: should they or should they not keep their car? The borough is notorious for being a nightmare for drivers, with constant bumper-to-bumper traffic and expensive parking. Because of this, many opt to either sell their automobiles or give them to friends or family members. The answer won’t be the same for everyone. The truth is, people have different habits and lead different lifestyles. To help you with you decision, consider the following:

Why you Should Keep it

If you can afford an apartment with your own parking spot, having a car can come in handy. It will make shopping for groceries and other errands a faster and easier process. Also, it will give you a clean means of transportation to and from work every day. Additionally, disregarding the cost of parking, paying for gas and car upkeep is much cheaper than taking the MTA everywhere. Lastly, it gives you the opportunity to easily escape the hustle and bustle of city life whenever you need a break.

Why you should Ditch it

Parking is atrocious in Manhattan. Not only is it limited, it’s extremely costly. This cost might not seem worth it, especially if you hate traffic; there’s plenty of that in the city. Bumper-to-bumper traffic throughout the greater majority of the day makes public transportation the faster and safer option. Additionally, with so many people congested into one place, it’s likely that your car will be broken into or hit, costing you money in losses and repairs. All of the stop-and-go driving will also cause quicker wear and tear on your vehicle.

The Verdict

In the end, it all comes down to if you’re able to afford parking and willing to assume the risk of owning a car in the city. Sure, driving is convenient for running errands and traveling out of the city on a whim, but it also takes more time and is more dangerous than public transportation. The MTA might not be the cleanest, but it’s cheap, efficient and less stressful. Since everything is in walking distance and the public transportation system is quality, a car is more of a luxury. Do you need it? No, but it is nice to have if you can financially manage it.

If you’re moving to Manhattan in the near future, contact Morgan Manhattan. We offer quality Manhattan moving services and will ship your car for you if desired. Give us a call or fill out our online form to receive your free quote today!