Life without a vehicle in America
By adforme
@adforme (2114)
December 28, 2007 4:43pm CST
I have a question for all American "road warriors". Could you go through life without driving. This discussion is for those that are of legal age and ability to drive of course. After an accident and a car repossession, driving and owning a vehicle became quite unattractive. I am an entrepreneur that works from home now; and I have my groceries delivered and take the bus to go banking if I do not do it online. I never knew just how much I could do without a vehicle. I save money from not buying gas, car insurance and maintaining a vehicle. I do not have to worry about being swindled by dealerships/mechanics anymore from my lack of mechanical knowledge, and I just feel safer. Do you have a car and feel you rely on it more than you like to or are you looking for ways to eliminate driving completely. Let's discuss this.
4 responses
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
29 Dec 07
We are 100 miles from the nearest urban center, therefore owing and operating a vehicle is most attractive to us.
There have been times in my life when I have had to rely on public transportation for one reason or another and I will gladly share with you that I am most happy those days are over. There also have been times when I would have welcomed being able to use public transportation had there been any. In the small town in which we live, bus lines have just recently emerged as "new technology" and although we are very happy to know they now exist as we have lived here 10 years before this came about, we are still not a a level where anyone could in their fondest dreams consider them convenient.
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
29 Dec 07
I should have looked at your profile before answering. No wonder you like to avoid driving. I remember Kansas City traffic well and it was the scariest traffic I had ever seen. I've never been afraid driving in Chicago or San Francisco or LA, but I was positively white-knuckled passing through your town. Actually, if push came to shove, we live near enough to local stores to walk for many of the basic things. But driving hereabouts is a pleasure, except on New Year's Eve when traffic to the nearby resort community can back up for miles, because we are still a bit of a one-horse town.
@adforme (2114)
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29 Dec 07
Hello Drannhh
Thank you for your response. I guess I am lucky to be in an area where mass transit is available, thereby allowing chioices. It isn't perfect, but it is always available when I need it. Right now, there is talk of "light rail" in the city (Kansas City, Mo) which I think would be a wonderful addition to the public transit system. I hope public transportation in your area improves over time and that will allow more options for you and your community. Drive safely.
@nesher (237)
• United States
28 Dec 07
I have born in the country, where the car was a luxury. You could get everywhere by public transportation for pennies. There are places in US as well, where you can live without a car, for example in big cities as New York, or San Francisco. However, when you live in suburban area, it almost impossible. Public transportation will not satisfy the generally needs as it is infrequent and inconvenient. Also, not everybody can telecommute, so you just cannot find and sustain the work without the car. Long ago, electric transportation was flourishing on this coast. It was deliberately killed to eliminate competitors to cars and buses. I do not see in the nearest future that private cars can be replaced.
@adforme (2114)
•
29 Dec 07
Thank you for your response Nesher. I understand that the need for transportation is extremely great for some, depending on where they live, how they work, and what they need. I really just became aware of how much I could do without a car. It was interesting to know the services in my area that make my life easier as a person without a car. Thank you for your insight; I see you are well aware of some American transportation issues.
@palonghorn (5479)
• United States
29 Dec 07
Eliminate driving.......No. I like driving and traveling too much to do away with my vehicle. Not only that I need to get to and from work, and shopping, I have a Blazer that I drive to and from work most of the time, and a Mustang that is just plain fun to drive. I do some of my bill paying and banking online, but I would rather go get my own groceries, and be able to go where I want when I want, not have to rely on a bus service. Although I do a lot of walking too, for exercise, pleasure, etc. It also helps me keep in shape for my job. I have been without a vehicle before, not for long though, and it about drove me crazy.
@adforme (2114)
•
29 Dec 07
Hi palonghorn,
Thank you for your response. I really do like the freedom and mobility that a car allows; but right now I am without a car and I am able to meet all of my immediate needs without one. It really does not seem feasible to have a car right now with what I have been through in the past few months (an accident through no fault of my own and a repossession). I need more money in my pocket and a little more peace of mind these days. Thanks again for the feedback and Happy New Year.
@janisspaggiari59 (656)
• United States
29 Dec 07
I don't think that I could do without a car.I can afford the expenses so thats not a big deal.I like the idea that I can get in my car and just go anywhere I like not having to depend on a bus,taxi,friend or relative.Its a feeling of
freedom and independance and with me my car is paid off so I don't have to worry about reposession When the car is paid off you have a feeling of pride.I saved and saved for a few years for a big down payment so I wouldn't have to pay
big payments forever.I saved up 17,000 dollars for the down payment so with that it only took me 1 yr.and 3 months to
finish paying for it.I bought it new so I wouldn't have repair bills for awhile.
@adforme (2114)
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29 Dec 07
Thank you for your response janisspaggiari59. I hope to eventually drive a car again, and a paid off car at that, but right now, I am trying to save money and I am glad there is so much I can do without a vehicle. I am lucky to have services that allow me to be without a vehicle for a while. Happy New Year.
