Would you live without a car?

[adpiterp]

I don't have a car. I walk to work and live 3 blocks from a metro station (DC). I have 3 grocery stores within walking distance. I have a Zipcar membership, so if I'm going to visit someone/somewhere not metro/bus accessible I can.

If I moved to the suburbs, I would definitely need a car though.

[DebtFree&Broke]

I might be without a car for a few months. My car is breaking down again and it's only worth about $800. I don't want to get it fixed if it's going to cost more than $200. So we might be getting rid of it before we have the money saved for my "new" car.

Would I live without a car to save money? No, because I don't like having to wait for my husband to get home so I can drive our truck.

[PetMom]

We have our cars paid off.

We have a repair fund.

I have the oldest car and basically have it only to get my dogs to the vet quickly either regular (within a mile) or emergency (a bit further away).

Waiting for a cab would not be an option.

But we do have shopping, entertainment (walking trails, library, Sonic = food entertainment),
banking, post office, all within walking or biking distance.

A lot of things are done online (eg banking, shopping, post office items) which does not require a car trip but does reguire a working computer (which negates the tip to use the library computer for free).

In bad weather walking or biking would not be fun.

[BrokeMike]

I live in Los Angeles where it I have no idea how people live without a car.

[Wonga]

I just bought a bicycle and I must say, it's been the best decision I've taken in years. Healthy, economical, gets you places in no time. Recommended!

[Goldy1]

I live in the suburbs. No way would I be without wheels. got my first at 16 and loved it since. When I visit a large city like New York I can't wait to get home to be able to just hop into my car and be somewhere with no stinky hot bus.

[KiwiJo09]

If I lived in New York, I definitely could. Since I live in South Florida, nothing is walking distance and public transit doesn't go where you need to. Once I move, I won't have to drive 40 miles to work every day and I'll only be a few miles from work. I may be able to ride my bike to work (once I get more physically fit), since it's only three and a half miles.

I wouldn't be able to give up my car completely though. I still have to drive to visit family, but I can reduce my usage. It's a good thread to get thinking about this topic though.

[dontgopoor]

When I lived in downtown Boston/Cambridge, I lived without a car for two years. Great public transportation system.

Where I live now, no way.

[Wino]

The slogan of the Houston Metro system (public transport) is "You can't get there from here." I once tried to figure out how to get to work: Walk close to a mile to the nearest metro stop. Take a bus to a central location. WALK from there to another bus stop. Then take that bus to the nearest bus stop to work. Walk another 1/2 mile to the front door of my building. By my calculations, it would have been 2 to 4 hours, each way, to work, and the same home.

No thanks. I bought a car immediately.

[SMSF101]

I can't live without car. It's very hard especially if i have some business meetings to attend to.

[TheShopMyCloset Project]

Would you live without a car? YES!

I live a car free lifestyle and it's great! I also take public transit for free because I have an "eco" pass that is made available to many employees in the Denver/Boulder metro area. I walk, ride, take the bus or cab it. You do have to plan a little better and think about the logistics of your daily movements. This wouldn't be possible everywhere. We (Denver) also have the largest light rail expansion project in the U.S. So, it's getting even easier for me to get around.

[Armywife]

I'll be living a forced car-free lifestyle effective 1 October - i'm actually looking forward to taking public transportation and WALKING alot... perhaps the health benefits will 'outweigh' the hole in my pocket

[anna_chronistic]

Absolutely, if it was feasible. Lived in Chicago for four years very happily with no car. I still hate to drive. But now I live in a small town in Central Illinois, and I drive about 16 miles to work each day. The only thing on the interstate between my town and my work building -- basically corn and soybean fields. I suppose I could bike it for several months of the year, but then it turns into a cost/benefit issue -- all that extra time, potential for injury driving on country roads (since I definitely couldn't bike along the interstate), potential for sudden changes in weather, need to shower upon arrival at work, etc. Just not worth it.

[UnknownXV]

I live in Montreal, and we have rather good public transportation here. As well, it's a crowded city.. a car doesn't actually get you around it that much faster than on a bicycle. I get my exercise in, and it's free. During winter I use the public transport system, it's 75$ a month for an unlimited pass, not too bad.

Finally, driving scares me. I'm way too nervous I would have an accident and hurt or kill someone. It can happen in a flash, one moment of distraction, and it's over. Not worth it.

I'll wiat until google releases their self driving vehicle.

[ProjectFocus]

I would not live with out a car... I rather have a car VS public transportation but then again... with GAS prices having a car does take a chunk from your paychecks.

For example, gas, oil change, wear and tear, car wash every weekend (due to friends puking on your car from a Saturday night out)