Living Car Free - Sold my car today!

I would imagine that this kind of announcement is common in this section of Bike Forums. But I just wanted to say that I sold my car today! And I am not going to buy another one for a while at least. However this isn't, for me, a radical lifestyle change, nor is it a choice of political convictions. The car has been staying in a barn outside of town for the last two years as I have been living in town and commuting to work by bike consistently. I haven't needed it. I could actually say truthfully that I took the car out on weekends, and that's about it.

The car, a beautiful 2001 Alfa Romeo, was in great shape and low mileage... so I think the buyer got a good deal. But I am happy to be rid of it and saving a bit of money. There isn't any worries about repair or insurance. My last fill up in the car was over 80 euros ($120!!) and it is a small hatch back!

So I plan on rewarding myself with a nice folding bike to go with the others and also be a better fit to multi-modal commuting. Train-bike, metro-bike, bus-bike...

I don't think that I'll be permanently car-free. There may come a time when I'll need one again, but for now it's great to save money and have less worry.

Good on ya

Congratulations! It feels great, doesn't it?

You can stay car free if you really want to.. if you must have a gasoline powered vehicle just get a scooter !!!!!

Way to go. Well done!

Getting rid of your car was the stupidest thing you could have done! You'll rue the day you gave up your Alfa, mark my words!

Just kidding. Congratulations on making a financially and socially wise decision.

Getting rid of your car was the stupidest thing you could have done! You'll rue the day you gave up your Alfa, mark my words!

Just kidding. Congratulations on making a financially and socially wise decision.

I did love that car, but so far no regrets. I really wasn't using it enough and there is no place to park it where I live. I like good mechanicals, and have enjoyed driving it over the mountains and through the hills to the vacation spot where I would take the bike out... but again, I can get pretty much everywhere here in europe by train and bike.

I plan to live like this for a few years and then we'll see

That's great, dora. :)

What was the reaction of your friends and neighbors? When I lived briefly in France, about 35 years ago, carfree was pretty easy. I had a bike and walked a lot. Buses were good in the cities, and trains were great between cities.

Good move! Now get a trailer, baskets or other cargo holding thingamajigs if you need to carry a bunch of groceries.

I just got some news that a Kroger is opening 2 miles form my house. No more 10 mile trips to Wally world for produce.

Good move! Now get a trailer, baskets or other cargo holding thingamajigs if you need to carry a bunch of groceries.

I just got some news that a Kroger is opening 2 miles form my house. No more 10 mile trips to Wally world for produce.

I'd like a trailer but I don't need one yet. All the markets are literally at my door step. Three bread and pastery shops, green grocer, butcher, cheese and dairy shop (non-pasteurized please!), wine caviste... all within 50m of the apartment. However, with the advantage of location comes the compromise, I don't have the space for a trailer... if when we need something bigger to house future kids, I'll have more room for bike stuff too.

I use the bike mostly for fun and getting to work. Tomorrow, day trip to Paris, so I have to get up to get the 6am train... again 5 minutes by foot from the apt.

Three bread and pastery shops, green grocer, butcher, cheese and dairy shop (non-pasteurized please!), wine caviste... all within 50m of the apartment.

Wow, I wish we still had stores like that in America. :(

I sold my car today!

felicitations!

Wow, I wish we still had stores like that in America. :(

I forgot to mention the flower shop and the comic book store. Anyway, there are those kinds of stores in America, but most often they seem to be found in the trendy areas of big cities. So those walkable neighborhood stores are inaccessible for a good chunk of the population. It is a bit ironic that it would cost more to live in San Francisco or Manhattan without a car than in any other suburb with a car, or an SUV for that matter.

I've made it a purpose to live where I am, here in France, these kinds of places are becoming more rare as people have adopted an american style of living...'burbs, cars and supermarkets... blah! If I wanted that, I'd still be living in the states, where gas is cheap and taxes are minimal.

I've made it a purpose to live where I am, here in France, these kinds of places are becoming more rare as people have adopted an american style of living...'burbs, cars and supermarkets... blah! If I wanted that, I'd still be living in the states, where gas is cheap and taxes are minimal.

Don't worry, the "'burbs" are very soon going to be seen as the stupidest living arrangement ever.

And this is coming from someone still living in them.

I'd like a trailer but I don't need one yet. All the markets are literally at my door step. Three bread and pastery shops, green grocer, butcher, cheese and dairy shop (non-pasteurized please!), wine caviste... all within 50m of the apartment. However, with the advantage of location comes the compromise, I don't have the space for a trailer... if when we need something bigger to house future kids, I'll have more room for bike stuff too.

I use the bike mostly for fun and getting to work. Tomorrow, day trip to Paris, so I have to get up to get the 6am train... again 5 minutes by foot from the apt.

I shop every day or two, just like a lot of French people. (The classic picture of France in my mind is people pedaling home from the bakery with a couple baguettes in their bicycle basket.) Wherever you live, it's a great way to handle carfree logistics. If you spend five minutes a day in the store, it's no more time consuming than spending 30 minutes on a weekly visit.

How do those French cyclists get their pain home on a rainy day? Or do they just eat soggy bread? :eek:

I'd like a trailer but I don't need one yet. All the markets are literally at my door step. Three bread and pastery shops, green grocer, butcher, cheese and dairy shop (non-pasteurized please!), wine caviste... all within 50m of the apartment. However, with the advantage of location comes the compromise, I don't have the space for a trailer... if when we need something bigger to house future kids, I'll have more room for bike stuff too.

I use the bike mostly for fun and getting to work. Tomorrow, day trip to Paris, so I have to get up to get the 6am train... again 5 minutes by foot from the apt.

WOW... too bad i don't speak french