My advice is to face your fear of driving and get over it by learning to drive and getting your license. You're going to be a burden to to other people until you do this.

the only way to get over your fears is to face them. driving is not scary. once you learn how then it becomes second nature. when you drive your brain goes into a sort of hypnotized state of high awarence and everythings very easy. Nothing to be afraid of. sure someone else could hit you or an accident can happen, but think of how many things can hurt you as you walk down the street. your not afraid of walking are you? If this fear is ruining your life because there are no other means of tranportation then you will have to face it or move.

As the other comments here have stated, I think it would be better if you got over your fear of driving. I know it will be hard, but I know with a lot of willpower you can do it. You've said you've tried before, perhaps you need other methods of getting you to become comfortable with it. While moving to the city is a great way to use public transportation and to save gas, simply just moving there because of a fear is not a good idea. I think in the long run you'll need to use a car and you'll thank yourself for learning. Maybe Google "Fear of driving" and find some tips or suggestions? I wish you the best of luck!

First, how could you ever be a burden to anyone? i agree that public transportation is not the safest mode of transportation on earth. i do not know where you live, but you mentioned a subway, so i assume you live in the northern states. I understand your fear of driving, especially if you do not have the driving experience for it. some people are just built this way. this is a tough question for me to answer, because either travel decision could be dangerous for you. i want you to be safe. How about this? is it possible for you to connect with someone in a carpool? if so, this would solve your problem. If you already have employment, place an ad where you work or in a newspaper. just be careful of the weirdos out there that will tell you anything just to get close to you. Please keep us advised of your decision. your boyfriend is correct. John

Many studies have shown that people living in metropoli built around pedestrian thoroughfare like New York and Portland pollute a lot less and have more mean disposable income for leisure and savings when they live and work in the city. Commuters, suburban/exurbanites, and people living in cities designed around everyone having cars are more pollution-prone, more stressed, and unhealthier due to excess pollution and lack of exercise. This alone is a good reason to go into the city. Being afraid of driving is not. If you go to a driving school while taking a fear-extinction accelerator like NMDA stimulators such as D-cycloserine, then you can run through the 8 steps to conquering fear with professionals that take you slowly through the steps of driving comfortably. 1. It doesn't matter why you're scared. Knowing why you've developed a particular fear doesn't do much to help you overcome it, and it delays your progress in areas that will actually help you become less afraid. Stop trying to figure it out. 2. Learn about the thing you fear. Uncertainty is a huge component of fear: Developing an understanding of what you're afraid of goes a long way toward erasing that fear. 3. Train. If there's something you're afraid to try because it seems scary or difficult, start small and work in steps. Slowly building familiarity with a scary subject makes it more manageable. 4. Find someone who is not afraid. If there's something you're afraid of, find someone who is not afraid of that thing and spend time with that person. Take her along when you try to conquer your fear -- it'll be much easier. 5. Talk about it. Sharing your fear out loud can make it seem much less daunting. 6. Play mind games with yourself. If you're afraid of speaking in front of groups, it's probably because you think the audience is going to judge you. Try imagining the audience members naked -- being the only clothed person in the room puts you in the position of judgment. 7. Stop looking at the grand scheme. Think only about each successive step. If you're afraid of heights, don't think about being on the fortieth floor of a building. Just think about getting your foot in the lobby. 8. Seek help. Fear is not a simple emotion. If you're having trouble overcoming your fear on your own, find a professional to help you. There are lots of treatments for fear out there, and no good reason not to try them under the guidance of someone with training and experience. from howstuffworks Hope this helps