PBA – I just use all -weather tires. Much better traction in all conditions. As far as getting stuck, I really don’t know where you live, but in the NY, NJ area we don’t get that much snow to be concerned about getting stuck.
Also, like you wouldn’t need them in a city like Montreal -the city even plows the sidewalk for you. If you do live in the states and the city/town don’t put much money into snow removal -it depends. If they hardly ever plow -chains won’t make a difference because the car will just get stuck from the bottom. Snow tires/chains aren’t snow shoes -you still have to clear the chasis to drive. But if they actually do plow and you are just scared to get stuck in some drift or something like that -this is what I do. I have a shovel and some kitty litter. You dig a little and you place the cat litter down for traction and then you drive out by rocking. Never floor it that your wheels spin.