Could you live without your car?

[2moretrees]

I had a talk with a girlfriend this weekend and we got into a discussion about whether we could live without our cars. When I think of all the expenses that go into a car, it would probably be cheaper for me to take a taxi when I really needed to go somewhere. I'm wondering if anyone has thought about this (or is doing this) and what are some of the difficulties I may not be considering?

[PrincessPerky]

We only have one car, and while I would rather not give it up, I could live without it. But the cost of a second car (including insurace/liscensing for me) would be way to high to be worth it. Most people I know have one car per adult, we figured it was cheaper this way form the start.

As for the car we do have, well DH would have to get a ride or taxi to work, and we would need one for travel to pgh (and other towns) to see family, I don't think the cost would be much of a savings, but I never actually priced renting a car for a weekend (in pgh). Course I would give it up and the travel if needed, but so far haven't.

[mjrube94]

It would be near impossible for us to do without our cars. For hubby, he works about 30 miles away, and there is no public transportation between our house and his job. I work part-time in NYC, and while I could take a train/bus from my town to work, I would have an issue dropping off/picking up the kids without a car. Also, living in suburbia, the closest grocery store, post office, etc. is about 1/2 mile away, so while I could walk there, I'd have trouble lugging back the week's worth of groceries. I suppose if money were so tight that we had no other alternative, we would make whatever changes necessary, but getting rid of a car is pretty far down the list for me.

Instead of getting rid of your car altogether, have you thought about ways of making a car less expensive (buy it used, smaller car with better gas mileage, shop around for insurance, etc.)?

[DivaJen]

We could get by with going from two cars to one fairly easily right now, given DH rides his bike to work. Going to no cars would be harder. I'd have to change how I shop, and shopping at Trader Joe's would be much more challenging, given how far it is from my house. I could walk to Vons and the 99 cent store, but gone wold be the days if shopping for 7-10 days or more at a time. Getting DD to her various activities, and school in the fall if we go with a private school 15 or so miles away, would be tough. It would also make getting our pets to the vet a challenge, especially our 60-pound dog.

If we had great mass transit I'd be happy to use it. I've looked at the bus schedules here, and they're dismal at best.

[kashi]

I could live without my car (just like I could live without a LOT of the stuff I own) but it would make life a lot more complicated. I actually priced whether or not it would be cheaper for me to take the bus every day to work vs. car insurance/maintenance/etc, and it's cheaper, but not by much. I would spend most of my life on the bus, instead of just part of it in my car. If I wanted to see my friends, I'd have to beg a ride or jump on the bus.

I lived without a car for six months when I lived abroad, and after the intial shock of it, it was a relief. If I was late for class, there nothing I could do about it - the bus driver was in control. There was a good subway system there, though, unlike here.

I'd rather look for cheaper car insurance and try to do bare minimum car maintenance than get rid of my car completely. I wouldn't have it at all if we had decent public transportation here.

[faielyne]

Wow, cool post! I gave up my car in the beginning of April! I have a good deal though, I can walk to work. As for everything else, I take the bus.

It's helping out a lot! I don't pay for gas, oil, general maintenance, tags, insurance, etc. On top of this, I don't have to wonder what that latest noise under the hood might mean and if I'll get to work tomorrow morning!

I love the walk in the morning, too. When I drove to work, I would end up grouchy and tired by the time I got to work. Now I am energized and completely awake and I start work at 6am!!

[miclason]

NO. It's a matter of safety here in ES...people get mugged on buses! (not to mention that if you are a woman you are almost guaranteed to get gropped!)...Plus, I work long hours and sometimes am out of the office at 8:00pm...the latest buses run at 9:00pm...

[BillsGirl]

I have so I know it's possible but having a car is by far the nicest thing!! Riding a bike to work in orland will make you loose 10 pounds a day (just kidding), it's all fine and dandy until you crash and burn on pavement with your bicycle (which I did)! I just got a car about 3 months ago and I love it but I do barely use it now that I have gotten use to not having a car!

[baselle]

I don't have a car, haven't had one in 6 years. Really makes my budget go! Public transit is very good here in Seattle, and I get a bus-pass subsidy at work which makes it even sweeter.

My sweetie has a car, but its a manual transmission which I never learned to drive.

I only miss a car if I have tote bags or cat or have to be a meeting other than the office. Co-workers have been pretty generous with rides (they all know I turn their car into a car pool so we can use the HOV lane). I'm also a member of Flexcar - a car sharing company and use it every so often. For a flat 10$ / hour, I can reserve a car and do what I have to do. It includes everything - gas, insurance, maintenance, etc. If you live in a big city, you might have something like this where you are.

[jmjj215]

I could live w/o my car again. When my wife and I first married we didn't have a car for about 4 months. Since we were students we could ride the bus for free! It was pretty sweet. Our expenses have never been so low! We now have one car and my wife sometimes wishes she could have it during the day to get around, but we still manage fine - and we're learning to share!

[Snoopy2645]

I dont think I could live without mine I have had a car since I was 16. I can barely go 1 day without a car & then I would go crazy!! I have always had a cheap paid for car so no car payments & just kept liability on them so cheaper on insurance. I also try to get small cars like a taurus which is what I have now so they are great on gas. I have only put a new battery in it & new tires on it. Thats it no other problems so the cost is minimal for me. I like to keep it that way so I can always have a car!!

[marjorie]

Going without a car for me while working is not an option. I get out of work at midnight and job is very near bad, bad areas...

[CheaplyClever]

I have never been without a car, so I don't think I would like it at all. I drive a five year old Saturn, that I bought new (with cash after saving forever....) I take care of the car, regular oil changes, etc... and it takes care of me. It also gets 38 mpg which is a plus.

[Tree0164]

I need my car. We don't have any public transportation in our local area. We would need to drive to th bus station or the train stop. Plus I have to drive the kids to school as well.

[CRFSaver]

It all depends on where you live. When I lived in Chicago I didnt have a car. I took the L, busses or usually a cab anywhere I needed to go. Needed to go see my family I either, rented a car, took the L out to O'hare and bus back, or take the train out to one of the suburbs and have my family pick me up.

Living in California, unless you live in the San Francisco or Oakland I think it would be difficult. The caviots, is your company close to a Bart stop? If yess then most likely you could do without one. I lived near Sacramento and it would not be possible not to have a car.

Now I live outside of DC and work outside of DC. Where I live I need a car unless I was to thriple my commute time in the morning by doing a bus service. I wont do that. The Metro doesnt go out to my company so they have a shuttle from one of the Metro stations I used to take when I was in Arlington. Problem is I could drive to work in 20 minutes, or take the metro and shuttle in 45.

Those places that have flex cars and zipcars could be a perfect substitute. If I worked in DC I would definately consider that. At the moment though I drive a 97 car with 76k miles on it. It is paid off and doesnt cost me anythign except gas and maintenance.

[PrincessPerky]

My dad lives in CA, no car, (insurance ran out, payments might not get paid either?) some part of hollywood, not where the stars are though. (or he works there, will live saturday)

Anyway his commute is currently dreadful, like 3 hours or something (and that was with the shortcut he found) but once he gets his apartment near the job (which hopefully isn't temp!) he will have a much shorter bus ride, and just about all appartments are withing his walking distance of stores, libraries, and gyms (his main needs) Only thing is his opinion of walking is different than mine. My limit is a mile one way, his is 2 or even 3, but then he doesn't have two short kids , nor is he pregnant!

So your willingness to walk or bike longer distances than the err average american makes a HUGE difference in weather or not you can go without a car or not I think.

[jodi]

I live in a rural town of 2000 people. We have a bus come through once or twice a day, and the stop is 5 miles from where we live. DH commutes 45 minutes to work. So, no, we cannot live without a car. Actually we have two, b/c I need a car to go places with the kids during the day, and for work appointments (I sell real estate so travel is a must). We did buy the minivan with cash, but when DH's car died 6 months later, we had to finance part of his new car I was not happy about that, but now we have two fairly new cars that we should be able to drive for a long time...I hope.

[Bluezy]

Not at all! I have to be mobile and be open for travel for my job. I also need to have transport for my little boy. If we were in a big city it would be different.

Best,

Bluezy

[jaksilee]

No I couldn't because I work 50 miles from my home and my job requires visits to clients with it.

[cicy33]

no way, I drive 45 minutes to work every day one way. my husband does siding and windows and has to drive all over the place. I think that if you live in a big city, maybe but for regular people in regular towns you must have a car. Even walking these days is not safe.