Originally Posted by
ReclusiveOne
Hey all.
I was on this forum a number of years ago under a different username, do not even remember what it was.
At the time I was living in DC and was without a car, moved around a bit and got a car again during the moves…
I decided to give up on owning a car unless I decide it just is utterly untenable for me...
For living, where I am is actually pretty good, a couple groceries within acouple blocks, work is about 1 mile away and I can easily walk even when Idon't feel like riding. My town itself isn't that huge, maybe 5 miles across the most populated areas of town so really it isn't bad getting around on bike. I am unfortunately out of practice on the bike and the winds right now are killing me.
Anyway, just wanted to introduce myself. Hope to stick around for awhile.
Originally Posted by
Maelochs
Sounds like an ideal situation to be car-lite or car-free.
Is it also the kind of town where a lot of specialized stuff is pretty faraway? is there Uber/taxi/bus service if you need to visit 'the Big City"(or the nearest large town)? Or is pretty much everything you will ever need already somewhere in town?
I haven't lived in a walkable town in along time. Having a good bike in a townlike that feels like being Superman--you can get anywhere so quickly, a bike is almost as fast as a car.
I don't envy you (my own life is okay, too), but I appreciate the situation you are in and I am glad for you and glad you enjoy it.
The only drawback? You don't get to cruise by traffic jams and smile at irate drivers.
I’m a big city devotee, and I perennially post about Boston. Actually, as an early morning reverse commuter on pleasant routes, I don't encounter traffic jams in my direction.
Originally Posted by
Jim from Boston
Boston is probably one of the most Car-free cities in the world, and having a car is often detrimental. We live near the transportation hub of Kenmore Square. Our easily accessible Car-free /Car-light modalities at home and work are:
- subway and Commuter Rail
- taxis and Uber
- car rentals, including Zipcar
- shopping and personal services within walking distances
- a convenient place to stay overnight at work
- my cycle commutes are on pleasant routes in the reverse of the usual commuting direction.
Nonetheless we own a car (with a deeded parking space). We bought it after the second child, and it became too hard to take a stroller on the rush hour subway while escorting the first one to school. Even though I’m the main breadwinner, it’s my wife’s car, and I have to negotiate to use it, now also with my adult son.
I’ve been an avid cyclist for decades, so that and other Car-free transportation is fine with me.
Originally Posted by
Jim from Boston
Actually, about a month ago, my wife (hardly cycles) and I discussed going down to DC for a few days in the Spring. I do tout Virginia and southwards as having spring in March; we don't really get that kind of weather until nearly May.
Washington DC is my second favorite city as a place to live (and visit), Philadelphia third. I even like Detroit (my hometown), and Chicago is cool, though far away.
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 03-13-18 at 09:33 AM.