Living Car Free - What do you like the best about living car free?

I have been car free for almost a year now, and I am loving it! even in the freezing weather of Canada (most days aren't too bad). I just wanted to hear from others what they like the best about it?

My favorite thing, is running on my own time and not the schedule of someone else.

I'm saving the planet, one pedal stroke at a time. ;)

1. save money
2. more excercise
3. less pollution
4. low maintenance
5. less traffic jams
6. less stress
7. chick-magnet :D

Being car-free doesn't get much attention around here. Cycling in winter does, though its not rare. Best part? Having men younger than me look with envy at my waist-line ;-)

Having more free time. Helping the planet. Saving lots of money.

When I was car free the thing I liked best was not having to pay for car repairs, car insurance, and fuel. Cars are incredibly expensive drains on the finances.

I like not ever worrying that while the car is parked someone would damage it. After all, having a $20,000.00 thing parked outside where all the idiots and thieves have access to it does demand a bit of attention and concern.

I like not ever worrying that while the car is parked someone would damage it. After all, having a $20,000.00 thing parked outside where all the idiots and thieves have access to it does demand a bit of attention and concern.

My current car is not worth anywhere near $20,000 but nevertheless, in the 2 years I've owned it, I've had the side window smashed in, and contents of my vehicle removed (they only got about $10 worth of stuff, but I had to pay for the window), my windshield kicked in, and a pumpkin thrown at my car which has left a pumpkin-sized dent in the hatch. You'd have good cause to be worried!

I like not ever worrying that while the car is parked someone would damage it. After all, having a $20,000.00 thing parked outside where all the idiots and thieves have access to it does demand a bit of attention and concern.

I never thought about it like that, but you sure can't carry your automobile upstairs to the apartment and lean it against the dining room wall.

7. chick-magnet :D

Ain't that the truth! ;)

I never thought about it like that, but you sure can't carry your automobile upstairs to the apartment and lean it against the dining room wall.

No...but we did have an MG Midget in the living room one time...:innocent:

Aaron:)

I think that the best thing about living car free is...not having a car.

The best part is that I don't have to support a car.

So I don't have to work full-time any more. I still live decently, take two vacations a year, contribute the full amount to my pension fund, and have healthy savings. I do all that and work only part-time.

Now *that* is living!

Ain't that the truth! ;)

At least I like to think that. :rolleyes:


The best part is that I don't have to support a car.

So I don't have to work full-time any more. I still live decently, take two vacations a year, contribute the full amount to my pension fund, and have healthy savings. I do all that and work only part-time.

Now *that* is living!

Good for you. :thumb:

I get to ride my bike!

I get to ride my bike!

Yes, but ... even if you own a car, you can still ride your bicycle. :)

Freedom.

When I was car free the thing I liked best was not having to pay for car repairs, car insurance, and fuel. Cars are incredibly expensive drains on the finances.

That is it in a nutshell...to me anyways.

Aaron:)

I don't know. It just seems to be the right thing to do.

One less complication in my life. One less thing to store, maintain, pay insurance for, feel guilty about. I've subtracted one big item from the list of things I do that will bring about the end of civilization.

I'm working on the others.

One less complication in my life. One less thing to store, maintain, pay insurance for, feel guilty about. I've subtracted one big item from the list of things I do that will bring about the end of civilization.

I'm working on the others.

What's next on the list?

I like the financial freedom to choose what job I really like rather than which one pays the most. I like having a savings account that I frequently drain for pack-packing and bike touring trips over seas. I like being able to pick up and leave whenever I feel like it and not be tied down by things like auto insurance policies, car payments, and dmv registrations. I also highly enjoy the automatic conversation starter, the one thing that almost any demographic group can stop and chat about on the MUP while riding.

...I've subtracted one big item from the list of things I do that will bring about the end of civilization.

I'm working on the others.


What's next on the list?

Personal air travel.

Personal air travel.

I couldn't imagine reducing that!! How are you going to get to other countries?

Now that I live in Europe, by train or boat. But for farther afield, I don't know yet. The car was the easy one.

One small bit of guilty pleasure: getting to a Tour Of California celebration event 2 hours early in my VeloKit, and having my own recliner!

When I was car free the thing I liked best was not having to pay for car repairs, car insurance, and fuel. Cars are incredibly expensive drains on the finances.

What I would add, from 25 years of living car-free in Israel, is that doing so releases us from "the tyranny of the auto".

Being car-free means that I'm not compelled to spend my free time driving hither-and-yon, trying to accomplish a dozen (or more) tasks each day. Instead, I'm forced/allowed to select only a few tasks at a time, one's which I can perform in a given period of time, and which are neither going to over-tax my strength, nor eat-up all my time. It's not (necessarily) prioritizing, but it is setting sensible goals for myself.

I can plan for every-other-day trips to the local farmers' market, ride to the supermarket for whatever I can carry comfortably in my Jansport day-pack, and leave heavy/bulky items for those times when someone is driving to Costco, BJ's, or Wally's World (and take the opportunity to buy in bulk).

Having a car means using it; and, in addition to Machka's unholy "trinity" of repairs, insurance, and fuel, it means we have less of our free time available to "just" enjoy.

Do I want a car? Nope... and if you ask me, I'll tell you: "Don't tread on me!" :)

^^^^^^^^ I'm car-lite but this expresses my sentiments exactly. I admit to being lazy and biking less... but busing more. It takes more time but I really enjoy getting to read more. :)

I like pretty much everything about being car-free:

1. It costs a lot less
2. It's environmentally more sane
3. Parking hassles magically disappear
4. It eliminates most (but not all) of the frustrations of being stuck in traffic
5. It's way more fun than driving or taking the bus

The thing I like the most about being car-free, though, is the built-in exercise regimen. I used to run every day, but I rarely run now, because my legs are generally too tired from walking or riding almost everywhere I go. I used to be bothered by this, until I finally realized that I'm actually getting more exercise than I used to (though not all at once), and I actually save time because I don't need to set aside part of my day to run. Going on a beer run is my workout. :p

Car expenses, gasoline, insurance, maintennance. At one job everyone had their car broken into except me because I kept my bike in my office where I could see it. The positives outweigh the negatives. Unfortunately, DH grew up in the Motorcity and feels he has to have a car despite the expenses.

This sums it up for me:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WPkOp1XOgU

I can sum it up in one comment, piece of mind. I seems like all the frustation the car created is gone. I just can't imagine how it was like because of the years gone by that I've been car free.

The other day I was in Sears and passed by the car repair center. A woman was yelling at the mechanics because it took ALL DAY to fix her car! Boy I remmeber those days but I'm so glad they are over.

Freedom.
Yep.

do you car-free folk still have a driver's license? Just wondering what it would be like to give that up also (issues at the airport etc)

I've never had a car, so I can't really compare. But one thing I really enjoy is not having "drinking or driving" dilemna when I go out...

A passport always works for ID, at least in the US. So going without a license isn't a huge deal.

i think most of you missed out on the most important part about living car free... riding your bike is fun and driving a car sucks... you only get one life, why spend time doing something that sucks when you can replace it with something fun.

When I was car free the thing I liked best was not having to pay for car repairs, car insurance, and fuel. Cars are incredibly expensive drains on the finances.

They're also huge drains on my happiness and mental health. Paying for my car has been one of my biggest stressors over the years. The car's a piece of crap. The repairs it needs are very expensive, and to top it off, I don't even like driving it.

Bikes on the over hand. :love:

1) less guilt about destroying the planet

2) don't have to worry about being in a car crash (well, not as much anyway)

3) more time to ride

do you car-free folk still have a driver's license? Just wondering what it would be like to give that up also (issues at the airport etc)

i let mine expire - and i use a state-issue ID & passport to get around.

granted, i've had to drive a few times, even so - but i haven't forgotten how! it's just illegal now..

Is it more difficult to get employment without a driver's license?

do you car-free folk still have a driver's license? Just wondering what it would be like to give that up also (issues at the airport etc)

Yes, even when I was car free for 7 years, I still had a driver's licence. There's no reason to let it expire, and good reasons to keep it going, such as identification, and car rentals.

Is it more difficult to get employment without a driver's license?

I wouldn't imagine it would be. It's not like employers ask if you've got a driver's license or not ... unless the job specifically involves driving.

Yes, even when I was car free for 7 years, I still had a driver's licence. There's no reason to let it expire, and good reasons to keep it going, such as identification, and car rentals.

true, there is no "good" reason, but i do enjoy the looks on people's faces when they find out:

a) i don't own/drive a car

b) i don't even have a driver's license (anymore)!

i think B raises more eyebrows than A - and i enjoy that to some extent.

but besides the symbology(?) of it, you're right; there really isn't a good reason not to have one.

Prior to moving to Japan, I had 2 cars. The first one was a 2005 Jeep Rubicon, the second was a 2006 Pontiac GTO.

I used the Jeep for my frequent trips to the southwest, I loved to explore the canyons and deserts, and occasionally go hunting with my cousin. I used the GTO for commuting in South Florida. For any of you who live (or have lived) in South Florida, you know how bad the public transportation system is, and how fast the traffic moves on 95 or the turnpike.

Spending $1200 a month on car payments, insurance, and gas, etc. seemed normal to me.

Then I moved to Japan and began a new job with a new company, and things here are much different. First, the public transportation system is incredible. There is train, subway, and bus service leading to pretty much any part of the country. Though often crowded, the train and subway service is timely, inexpensive, with minimal waiting time.

On the other hand, owning a car in Japan is not so easy. Cars themselves are not particularly expensive here, but getting a license is difficult and costly (about $3000), cars require expensive inspections, for which they can be failed for things like dents, faded paint, or a window with doesn't roll up or down. Highway tolls are outrageous, costing up to 100 yen (about $1) per mile. Cheap gasoline right now is about $4 a gallon.

Added to that, in the cities parking is scarce and expensive. A parking space in metro Tokyo can cost more than an apartment in most American cities, and even outside the metro area, parking is expensive. To get a car loan in Japan you must have a parking place. You must provide the loan company with a photograph of the space, and have witnessed affidavit proving that it is yours.

I've been in Japan for 9 months now, and have survived fine without a car. I'm within walking distance of the train station and shopping centers, and I cycle to other places in town which are too far to walk.

My only complaint so far is that you aren't supposed to take bicycles on the train, which means if you want to ride in other parts of the country, getting your bike there can be difficult. A folding bike solves this problem, as you can carry a cased bike on the train, but I hate folding bikes.

Added to all of this, Japan is a very scenic and safe country. Even the poorer parts of the big cities have much to offer to the sightseer, and riding a bike (or walking) allows you to enjoy the scenery all the more. There are places in America where I don't feel safe in my car, even with the doors locked, during broad daylight.

I don't buy the environmental argument. Most people don't realize that your typical house or apartment generates 2 to 3 times the amount of Co2 that a typical car does. The waste generated by a house (trash) far and away surpasses the waste produced from cars (which are almost entirely recycled when they wear out/crash and are destroyed). For people who are concerned about the environment, more emphasis needs to be placed on the larger causes of pollution.

I wouldn't imagine it would be. It's not like employers ask if you've got a driver's license or not ... unless the job specifically involves driving.

US federal law requires employers to ask for proof of identity and proof of citizenship or legal residency. (We're paranoid about illegal immigration). If you don't have a DL, chances are your employer will know this before they make the decision to hire you.

US federal law requires employers to ask for proof of identity and proof of citizenship or legal residency. (We're paranoid about illegal immigration). If you don't have a DL, chances are your employer will know this before they make the decision to hire you.

That's what I'm worried about. Or even the weird vibe an employer might get right after hiring me, when they ask for a copy of my driver's license, and I give them a copy of my passport instead. Not too worried about it myself, as I have a DL and plan to continue renewing it. But you never know. Plus I worry about those looking for work, who've never gotten their DL. Many employers won't hire someone who doesn't even own a car, let alone someone without a license.

That's what I'm worried about. Or even the weird vibe an employer might get right after hiring me, when they ask for a copy of my driver's license, and I give them a copy of my passport instead. Not too worried about it myself, as I have a DL and plan to continue renewing it. But you never know. Plus I worry about those looking for work, who've never gotten their DL. Many employers won't hire someone who doesn't even own a car, let alone someone without a license.

Yeah, you can't (by law) have both a DL and a state-issued ID. Therefore, if you have the state ID, an employer will know that you can't drive. In Michigan right now, with 10.6 per cent unemployment (rising FAST), you need every advantage possible if you're looking for a job. I would hold onto the DL, just in case.

i think most of you missed out on the most important part about living car free... riding your bike is fun and driving a car sucks... you only get one life, why spend time doing something that sucks when you can replace it with something fun.

I recall many past lives and this is the only one in which I've used a bicycle. I'm sure I've had fun in past lives too.:)

US federal law requires employers to ask for proof of identity and proof of citizenship or legal residency. (We're paranoid about illegal immigration). If you don't have a DL, chances are your employer will know this before they make the decision to hire you.


But couldn't people use their passports? Here you can give either your driver's license or your passport as proof of identity.