Northeast metro area (NYC/NJ), haven't owned a car in about 25 years. Mainly walk to places but I also take the train/bus as needed.
When I go out to the suburbs via train I do usually end up driving around with family. (their car)
Metro area is HCOL but not having a car has saved me a huge amount of money, people tend to act like the car is a separate expense not related to the rest of your bills like rent/property taxes, utilities, all that.
Nope, I generally assume people I run into speak english even if it's not fluent. That includes all the asians I interact with, there's a lot by where I live.
Even newer immigrants speak at least some english.