Busses are viable as long as you make them viable. If you have a busstation at a 1 km distance you can make it viable in most places even with the mega sprawl of the US. The economical incentives of a car economy is perverse it is the tradgedy of the commons distilled.
Most of the US has single digit numbers of people per square km. And the average daily commute is 61 km. And suburban sprawl had led to the decline in city centers. Low density, high distance, and poor directionality are very significant challenges for planning a bus line.
Have you used bus systems in the US? Even in cities that have made a large investment in bus service, it can be a challenge.
I know it sucks living in the US without a car, I do think it is important to know that it can be done. You are going to have to prioritize though. I've lived carless in some of the most car dependent places of the earth, including the US so I know what makes that a great deal.
I closely know people who have lived in extreme rural areas of the US without a car. You are right that it is possible. But it certainly presented significant challenges. There's a reason why people buy cars in the US.
I personally loved taking busses and trains when I lived in the city. I didn't go far but with a pass I'd take them all the time. I now live in a suburban sprawl and I can never convince my wife to bus it. She usually has a point: it's pretty inconvenient to get from our home to a bus/train stop. I live by a train but would love it if they were electric though that'd do nothing to reduce brake dust.
