As for visiting people who don't live nearby, I can frequently use public transportation to do that. We have several options here, including local buses and two train systems.

I also sometimes get rides with people in their cars. I am not anti-car or anti-using a car.

We also a system of renting cars by the hour, if needed.

I can certainly see that visiting your daughter who lives three hours away would be very difficult without a car.

Overall, I think that my position is one of privilege, in that I can do this, whereas many people do not live in the circumstances that allow them to live this way.