I know, it's shocking! What city are you in? I was always v lucky in that all of my life was Tube-handy in London, or mediaevally connected at my grandparent's farm (ie, everything was within a solid walk or a pleasant ride).

I blame the mix of skyrocketing housing and centralised industry. I'm sure we can still blame Thatcher for it (my record collection is not the only part of my life unwilling to let the '80s go!)