Reflections On 6 Months Without A Car
May 23, 2011
Author 
In Around 6 months ago I moved from Minneapolis to San Francisco to work at LEWIS PR. During the process, despite warnings from others (similar to those I received when I got rid of TV) I decided to try going car-free.
As aside about the warnings, I think anything you do in life that goes against what someone else relies on is scary for them. As such, it causes them to react out against it. Don’t listen to this type of reaction, always find your own path.
In the previous post on this subject I shared the reasons why I went car-free. Today I wanted to share a follow-up on the experience because I think too many people can’t fathom a life without a car. In summary: I think all of you should try it at some point. It’s a very different (and better) lifestyle.
Why?
Eliminating the step in between
I grew up in a city called Hollywood, Florida. It’s located between Fort Lauderdale and Miami. There wasn’t much walkable from my house, as is typical of the American family in suburbia and minimal, disparate public transit. Even if you wanted to walk or bike somewhere, it wouldn’t really be something I’d classify as a pleasant experience. You’re basically using the same infrastructure designed (and given a priority to) cars. So we drove. A lot. Driving was a necessary step in between the events of the day. It was similar in college and when I was in Minneapolis.
For most of this time, I hadn’t fathomed a life in which this step in between wasn’t necessary. No one finds it enjoyable to spend hours on concrete stretches and in asphalt parking lots that are devoid of humanity and lack sense of place. The perspective I have gained from time away from this process has, if anything, made me realize how I would be reticent to go through it again. It’s a subtle but noticeable difference when you remove a stress-inducing activity that is part of your daily process and replace it with something stress-relieving: exercise.
Re-introducing serendipity
There isn’t much serendipity when driving in a car. You’re usually destination-oriented, plus (hopefully) focused on what you’re doing so not paying much attention to what’s around you. Thus, you miss experiencing everything around you. This mode of travel is isolated and lacks serendipity.
Walking or biking a city is a far different experience than driving. If you live in an innovation hub like San Francisco there are countless coffee shops, restaurants, artists, people, art galleries, bookstores and a diverse amount of culture throughout the city. When walking (or biking) it’s not a big decision to stop and explore or interact. Basically, you’re a part of unscripted action vs. just watching from the sidelines.
Gas and car expenses are wasted income and time
Have you run the numbers for what you pay in gas, insurance and car payments each month? If not, go do it. Pretty terrible, right? And what do you have to show for it? Exactly. There’s nothing much to add here, it’s really nice to not have to deal with the nonsense of filling up gas, getting car maintenance or worrying about the upkeep. I have more time to do the things I love, like writing words and music.
Public transit / shared options = better than owning a car
I have been taking public transit to get around and it’s actually quite good. I’ve never had to wait that long (the schedules are all available online) and in fact it’s better than a car because I don’t have to deal with parking. Also any funds to pay, even if I take a taxi or use a service like Zipcar still don’t touch the expense or hassle of owning a car.
My conclusion: our car-oriented culture is not a good thing
Note, I’m not saying cars are bad, I’m saying our culture’s prioritization of them is wrong. They serve an important function, and I’m not saying I won’t own one again one day. But not owning one has given me a different perspective on how they actually affect our culture.
They encourage city designers and developers to sprawl locations of residencies and businesses, distancing us unnecessarily. Something as simple as walking 2 miles a day to the office instead of driving 17 has a noticeably positive impact on quality of life. I have less physical possessions to maintain and worry about (I actively try to eliminate as many physical possessions as possible). Yes, I am aware of the fact I’m a marketer: but I market technology companies so my aversion to physical possessions plays well with the industry.
Curious how many readers here are also car-free? What has your experience been like?
Pierre replied | May 23, 2011 (1 comment)
Nice to see someone trying living car-free !
In Nantes (France), Loc Eco, a small regional car renting company is launching the 5th season of the “Zenius Experience”.
Loc Eco is casting 16 people in 4 cities who volunteer to let their car to Loc Eco and get in exchange a 8 weeks free pass to use bus, bikes, tramways and car (cars are only available the week-end). It’s not a game, just a way to experience for free the day to day life without a car.
They try to educate the population with ecomobility !
https://twitter.com/#!/Zenius2011
https://www.facebook.com/zeniusexperience?ref=ts
Steven Bradley replied | May 23, 2011 (8 comments)
I have a car now, but a few years ago I went without one for a little over a year. Here in Boulder there are bike and foot paths everywhere and every 15 minutes or so a bus will pass by if you need one in bad weather.
I rode my bike most everywhere and occasionaly walked. I was in great shape and it really didn’t take much longer to get where I wanted to go. The savings were nice and yes you really do get a better experience of a town or city by walking or biking than by driving.
Jesse replied | May 23, 2011 (1 comment)
I have lived in all sorts of car cultures, from SF to upstate NY to downtown NYC to rural towns. I think if you don’t care about cars and don’t mind relying on others’ schedules to form your travels, then going car free is live-able. I have to respond to a couple points:
1)the freedom of serendipity: I think if you don’t have a hard, defined schedule this is a decent point. However, if you have to be somewhere at a specific time, then another place, public trans is the worst, especially SF. The buses are never on schedule or on time, and are usually filled with bums that are on (or doing) drugs and harrassing the general rider population. I went public trans, zipcar and motorcycle in SF for a few months but it was not liveable when trying to make it work with a busy business schedule. Plus shopping for anything sucks ass because you have to carry your stuff through the masses of generally inconsiderate riders. Rush hour=hell on wheels on any bus. Serendipity can be had on weekend walks around the city while still owning a car – but with a car you have the freedom to choose when you want to do that.
2) Gas and car expenses are wasted income and time: I had a zipcar account and found I spent more on renting a zipcar per month than it would for car payments, insurance and gas. It depends on your work and lifestyle – if you want to ever leave the city for one weekend a month, expect a $400 zipcar weekend charge. tack that on to the occasional grocery trip or business trip and suddenly you could own a beamer for the same amount you are spending on a share.
3) Public transit: Sorry, it’s the worst, and there is no freedom to it unless you have nowhere to be at a certain time. Watch the rush of people going from the 2,3 express to the L line on any give n rush – it’s like rats funneled through a maze. Where did the term rat race come from?
Bottom line? I think if your lifestyle lets you meander around without a defined schedule then pub trans can be a decent get around for close distance commutes that aren’t walkable, and if you are lucky and rich enough to live close enough to walk to work (I have recently gone car free and picked an apartment 20 minute walk from work or a 20 minute total commute on a train – shows how annoying pub trans schedules can be when i can walk faster than a train can get me there ) then it can be all right. But you are confined to the immediate area of the lines. There is no freedom of distance, the serendipity to hop in a car and just go wherever you want – you’re travels without one are planned and confined. And the thoughtfulness and introspection that goes with being alone in a car is unrivaled as well, having come up with some great ideas having that time to be insulated from the world and think. It’s nice to be immersed in the world, but it’s equally nice to have the freedom to choose not to be. Some of the greatest poetry is about just that: ‘I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree/In a small cabin built there, of clay and wattles made/nine bean rows will I have there, and a hive for the honey-bee/and live alone in a bee loud glade…’ Ralph Waldo Emerson. Get there on public transportation (you can’t walk there from the city)…
radiodog replied | May 23, 2011 (1 comment)
Living in Brno, Czech Republic sans auto is not only easy; it’s better. Positive social interaction comes to life on trams, sidewalk cafes, and everywhere in a car-free city center.
Nice way to meet a love interest too ;-)
Lily May replied | May 23, 2011 (1 comment)
I took a similar car-necessary to car-free path moving from the D.C. burbs, to West Palm Beach, to the San Francisco bay area.
It has been fantastic. I would say though that much more forethought is necessary to get around day to day, and yes Zipcar can add up and it has mileage limits. As a woman I’ve got to pack my high heels if I’m walking farther. City dwelling is not for everyone, either (i.e., imagine trying to lug a stroller onto a Muni bus), so a village model like Palo Alto is what I think is ideal.
In that vein, moving away from Costcos and other urban sprawl stores (DSW, Target, etc) would give way to supporting and sustaining local businesses that create the friendly, walkable landscape - even if it means paying more out of pocket.
Weather plays a part too, it’s easier to be car free in nice climates! Athough, Manhattanites are able to make it work in winter.
I do love the freedom from car repairs, upkeep and parking!
Katie Morse replied | May 23, 2011 (2 comments)
I moved from the south (NC) to NYC 2 years ago and can count the times I thought “man, I wish I had a car!” on one hand… with fingers remaining.
I find that public transportation gets me where I want to go, and I know the city much better by being out experiencing it. Yes, when the weather is poor it’s nice to be able to run into a car and drive where you’re going instead of walking a few blocks to/from the subway, but ultimately – I just find NOT having a car so much more stress-free than having a car that it’s worth it in my mind – without a question.
Speaking of stress – I didn’t realize how stressful driving was until I got rid of my car, adjusted to “city life” and then went back home to visit. Me + driving = ball of stress. I’d much rather walk/let someone else do the driving, thank you!
I do have a job where I have to be at work at a certain time – so contrary to one of the opinions above, using public transport still works the best for me – despite my busy schedule.
I, too, would love to see more walking/public transport-centric cities in the US.
- Katie
Brooke replied | May 23, 2011 (1 comment)
I lived in FL too. After a car accident I decided I didn’t want to drive ever again so I set out to take the bus 20 miles to work. I rode my bike halfway and hopped on a bus the other half. Riding along the beach was great but the part where I had to cross the street at the entrance to 95, was intense. Then one day it was raining and the bus already had 2 bikes on the front, no room for mine so it drove right by me. The next one was a half hour away and I gave up. Back to my car. I wish FL had a transit system as easy as SF cause I would have stuck with it.
Now I am also car free and living in the East Bay. It’s is everything you said. I get to meet people, watch and listen to those around me, relax while someone else takes me where I need to go, and I never worry about my poor driving skills. It does take longer to get to work so I plan accordingly. In the end, it’s a grind, the crowds, carrying heavy bags… But so was driving, just a different grind.
Walking a mile used to be a ridiculous idea, now it’s my everyday.
Alex Aguilar replied | May 25, 2011 (13 comments)
I wish I could let go of my car for many of the same reasons you highlighted in your post. Unfortunately due to my occupation as a realtor that is simply not an option right now. One thing I have noticed is that many suburbs in America are built around the car and are very unfriendly to cyclists and pedestrians. I think there needs to be more of a push to move away from car-centric suburbs and more towards European style city hubs with excellent public transit systems.
Dayne Shuda replied | May 26, 2011 (44 comments)
It seems life is great without a car, Adam.
I still have one and it’s a money pit :) – I enjoy walking. The physical benefits of walking and interacting with people on the street are great for reducing stress and making life enjoyable.
I do still love the independence and freedom car ownership has, but it’s more from the perspective of going for a drive in the country where there are few chances for stressful situations.
Brendan Dimitri replied | May 27, 2011 (1 comment)
Great story. Just moved from Florida (Graduated FGCU — had some friends from Weston and Lauderdale) to NYC and I had to give up my car as well. It’s an enlightening process. While I miss open windows, blaring iPod’s and the occasional beach access relax sessions, I have to say I enjoy not having to pay $4+ for gas, and have to deal with the road rage that becomes of ever Floridian.