Living Car Free - Forced to be car free?

I am wondering how many people here are car free because they do not have a choice in the matter?
For instance not having a licence, or not being able to afford the cost that goes along with running a car?


I have a car but have not driven it in almost 2 months. If I were to drive past a cop I would probably ticketed with the shape my car is in now. I have only put the bare minimum into keeping the car going and do not wish to spend the money that it needs to be fixed, even if I had the cash I don't think that it would go into fixing it up or getting another. Too much of a hassle; so I decided I am going to call the wreckers and get the $100 for it.

I live in a small city and can walk anywhere in it from where I live in about an hour; biking, it takes only a few minutes to get anywhere. The bonus is that I live across the street from a mall, have a movie theatre across the street, and there are a ton of other amenities in my area. A 2 minute ride away from that are some really cool trails. The best part of all is that all the highways around here have huge paved shoulders.

I know that where I live is a crappy little city, but it is perfect for riding and it has made it so my car is not needed or missed. When it was running I only drove it once a week. Even with the high gas prices I would blow about 2 or 3 dollars a week on gas. I guess I am truly lucky when it comes to living in a place where I can live car free and not even notice it.

I am, or will be car free very soon because I do not have a choice, but I am glad because in my situation a car is really not needed at all.

I still would like to know where all the money is I that was supposed to save?

I would have to work more to pay for a car but that doesn't mean I am forced to be car free. I would rather consume less and live more simply so I can spend less time working for money and more time doing things that I enjoy.

I'm in a similar boat as thelung. I had to buy my first car at age 26 because of the work I was doing. I hated it and for three years was constantly trying to find ways to live without it. Even if I had the money now I don't think I'd buy a car. I'd probably take more trips with planes, buses, and rentals and keep my bike components in better condition instead. Or maybe just eat out more.

I have a car. But have never felt better since I starting using my bike for everything. And now that I have an xtracycle, I REALLY have no need for my car.

Dude you truly ARE lucky... I mean... alot of people would like to live in your situation.

I'm with thelung also... I want to live more simply, to work less and have more time just to "be"...

I am forced to be car-free because I have an eyesight problem that prevents me from legally getting a licence. I can physically see well enough to drive, but my reaction time with a 2 ton vehicle. might not be the best. I've never had a single problem regarding my eyesite when I'm riding.

I was sort of forced into giving up cars, and ended up liking it. What happened is, I went abroad for several years. When I came back, insurance companies said they didn't have me on file since I had been out of the country for more than 3 years, and therefore would take me back at the same rate as a new driver, despite letters from my previous foreign insurance companies stating that I had had no accident. They wanted oever 800 euros a year to insure a Citroên 2CV third-party for crying out loud! So I thought stuff them and I bought a bicycle on impulse, and I discovered life without having to buy gas, without parking tickets, traffic jams, with a free garage to make a workshop out of, and with a lot more play money at the end of the month.

Don't get me wrong, my last car was a '73 Charger and I miss driving it. It was a fun, quick, noisy toy. But I gained more when I picked up cycling than what I lost when I sold the Charger.

One time (not this time) I was forced to be carfree. My car was stolen and I was nearly broke. By the time I found where my car was, the impound fee was almost $300 and the thief or the towing company had done some damage to the car (hood wouldn't stay closed). I told the wrecking company to keep the damn car. It took me about three months or more to save enough to buy another crappy car.

I am wondering how many people here are car free because they do not have a choice in the matter?
For instance not having a licence, or not being able to afford the cost that goes along with running a car?


I was forced to give up my car. It was either that or the vehicle was going to accumulate street cleaning tickets that I couldn't afford since the engine would no longer start and there was no money for repair work.

I happen to think there are many that should be "Forced to be car free" but will fight to the very end in supporting that lifestyle. These are folks who are declaring bankruptcy and getting their cars repossessed by the millions. You see them all the time fixing their cars on credit or buying insurance with Mastercard. Even the DMV accepts credit cards for paying parking tickets so that tells you how many motorist are living on the edge.

How many motorists are driving without insurance? How many are driving vehicles that are not road worthy? ALL of these individuals should be "Forced to be car free" because they cannot afford it.

I totally cannot afford the cost of running a car. Even if my salary was doubled tho, I still wouldn't do it. Why? so I can contribute to problems? no way, jose.

I was forced to be car free in the beginning of my work period. The cost of vehicle ownership (fuel, legally required insurance, upkeep of the car, purchase price of the new or used car, and other hidden cost would have eaten up my first paychecks so there would nothing be left over to live on-or ask mom and dad to pay up. After that rocky start, I found that the middle class jobs were being exported out, made cheaper by importing manufactered products from somewhere else, the roller coaster prices of gas made it unpredictable to plan ahead, etc. So I now use public transit walk, and recently added the folders to long distant commutes. I know I will never retire (except when I die), or have anything nice. But at least I won't be part of the problem. Just not actively adding to it.

I still would like to know where all the money is I that was supposed to save?

Well, unless you were illegally driving without liability insurance, i suggest you cut off your car's insurance. That'll save you some dough.

I also suggest that you don't buy another car- that'll save you a lot of money.

Well, unless you were illegally driving without liability insurance, i suggest you cut off your car's insurance. That'll save you some dough.

I also suggest that you don't buy another car- that'll save you a lot of money.


I just cut off the insurance so that will be abour 30$ less that I spend a month. I have no desire to get another car, but I also do not have the money for a car. I am glad that it is gone I do not miss it. No wondering how am I gonna pay to fix it the next time it breaks down. I do have a good use for it, for the time being. It does make a good storage locker for all the crap that I can't fit into my apartment.

The nice thing is that where I live a car is useless. But it is my opinion that a car is useless in most situations, I have lived most of my adult life without a car or licence, and now that I have got rid of the car I feel like there is less of a burden on me. It is nice to be self sufficent and not have to worry about a car ruining my day because I have to get it fixed

In some cases I can see where a car is needed, but I beleive that in most situations people can do without a car. When I was a kid I never got driven around, my mom still does not have a drivers license and my dad was never around to drive me anywhere. In fact when he was he refused too, he would tell me to ride my bike or take the bus.

As a grad student, I'm not even able to cover my living expenses without a car. With a car? Forget it.
Luckily, I live in a place where I can pretty well get around without one.

I owned a car but the MD said I shouldnt drive. Guess I have to bike commute.

Ricardo

I had some medical problems and a surgery last year that kept me from driving. During that time, my car developed some expensive problems, so I decided to get rid of it. After about a month of not having car expenses, I felt like such a moron for keeping it as long as I did. I could have gotten rid of it at least 5 years ago. What a money pit it was. It took a scary medical condition and major surgery to make me see how unimportant a car was for me. Growing up in Detroit throughly brainwashed me about "needing" a car. I am amazed at how easy it was to adjust.

Choose to be car free, always have and always will.
In my eyes cars are a waste of money, time, and freedom.

in some sense yes forced to be car free..It was either get a huge reapir work..(over 1 grand). I already was using the bike much since before spring..just not for long distances.
At the end of last year..I began the process of simply..and simplfy living..
I moved into a one room apt (a studio)..then next healthy simple eating..reducing debt...less things..Quailty over Quanity..reduce waste..conservration..frugal living (not cheap, but wise!)
And now car free(truck)..For half the price I bought a quality bike, and will get some more accessorices for $500.
Plus when I went car free..I knew this wanted I wanted to do..otherwise I problay wip out the credit card and be forced to pay for another repair..more gas..more insurance..more title/tag fees..maint fees..etc.
Plus with a bike you have the added fitness..now when I dont feel like doing cardio..its taken care of by using my bike for transportation everyday!