Having kids but no car

VK-2008

to me it would seem like if you can get by without a car just now dont bother getting one
lots of poeple take kids on public transport
and think about where you would be going in car with child
i would hold off getting it until nearer time its an added expense you may not need
personally in similar situation trying for child but we dont stay local to things for example family stay in countryside we need our car
its a personal choice
my sister in law only got a car last month and her child is now 8 so there is no need for a car

LilacPixie

i passed my test years ago and have always had a car. I do not live in london. I am pregnant with number 3. For me and my lifestyle/childcare arrangments a car is essential but these arrangements were made around the fact we had 2 cars. If we didn't have a car we wouldn't of made those arrangments.

ironman1

Thanks all, hopefully we'll get by

pisces_cat

Not in London but, 3 kids, no car, have travelled from one end of the country to the other with them. Not a problem.
Easier to amuse babies/ kids on a train than in a car...

Sure it would be nice - days out/ holidays would be easier, camping is pretty much impossible nowadays, but to be honest don't feel we miss out too much

ironman1

This must have been an omen, we found out the other day that my fiance is 6wks pregnant!

savingmummy

I`m a london girl with 2 children aged 4 and 2 NO car!
We manage just fine and have no problems at all, there are buses, trains and coaches for day out if you choose too.

I was living in a rural area with no public transport nearby but still managed fine.

If you live now with no car then no reason why a child will change that! I`m sure most children prefer walking or travelling on trains to the destinations anyway. Mine get bored in cars but love buses and trains LOL!

ironman1

Well as I said we'll be ok, just can't believe I'll be a Dad for the first time, really excited. Not meant to tell anyone until after three or four months I know but had to tell family and some close friends. Bit nervous as I'm a born worryer, just want the little one here!

always29

firstly, congrats, ironman!

I live on south London /Surrey borders with my 8 month old and don't drive and getting about is a lot easier than you think.

Buy the lightest quality from birth buggy you can afford as you will be walking a lot - I got a maclaren xlr, it was a toss up between that in the xt, in hindsight for how short a time they are very little, I think the xt would have been better but the xlr has travel system adaptors which I've used a few times travelling out of town and being met at the other end. Beg / borrow / ebay a baby carrier / sling for short trips, especially on the tube. We've just started using a back pack carrier which this week has been through France and back with the little one so been well worth it's (ebay!) spend.

For overnight trips, we got a http://www.kiddicare.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/productdisplayA_42_10751_-1_14562_11900_10001_14053 which is easy to travel around with in a rucksack / underneath the pushchair. Edit - he outgrew this last month, not sure how'll we'll manage with a full size travel cot now but not needed to yet so not worrying about it yet!

Take a look at the tfl mobility maps - http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/step-free-tube-guide-map.pdf is really useful and maybe adapt your journey slightly. And even when there are 10-20 steps down to non escalator parts of the station, it's doable and more often than not, people lend a hand!

Buses - in 8 months, using the bus several times a week, I think I've only ever had to let one or 2 go by. What really hacks me off is women with a very fat toddler (and it always is) who get on the bus after the driver has asked them to fold the buggy, get on, refuse to fold the buggy and hold everyone up but thats a whole other rant. In very central London, buses are much easier than the tube if you really can't be bothered to walk.

Out and about eating - my in laws just got us one of these now he's eating and it's brilliant, everyone comments on it: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000TGGDIS/ref=noref?ie=UTF8&s=baby

In terms of day to day shopping etc, living in London, chances are like me you are within walking distance of 2 or 3 supermarkets and you won't in the first few months need any more food or household stuff and you've managed so far without a car for shopping and so you'd just be getting nappies etc regularly as extra carry items. And as has been said before, there's always internet shopping!

IMO, you can go completely overboard on baby equipment (when I see friends places I think my little boy is so deprived lol) but we've managed without a suitcase sized changing bag (and we use washable nappies) quite happily until now, think about items you need - we fit it all in to one of these most of the time http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-First-Years-Deluxe-Baby-Travel-Change-Kit-Mat-Pad_W0QQitemZ180454367809QQcmdZViewItem?rvr_id=127264135260&rvr_id=127264135260&cguid=8f1f016d12a0a0aad28492e4ffe51df4 (in blue tho!). Infact the first few months are the easiest getting out and about after that you've got some experience and you'll take what you need.

Gosh, thats a long post but hope some of it is useful.

ironman1

Thanks, top post. Yeah all shops and transport links are in walking distance, round the corner in fact. It's just I would get a car but the money side would make it tight. We already shop online and did when we had a car! Less expensive and well, just easier...

I'll look at the links you posted when I get in from work. Cheers.

I know my gf gets six months off work fully paid. It then goes down to half. We have about 8k saved which was meant to go towards wedding costs etc but that will have to wait.

Will be hard with just one wage for a year or so but hopefully everything will be ok. I'd swap every penny I have to have my baby boy/girl!

rach

Firstly, congrats to you and your OH! Hope everything goes smoothly for you.

I'm a bit biased on this as my job is to encourage people to use sustainable transport, particularly walking and cycling.

I'm expecting my first baby and although we have a car we may as well not have for all the use it gets. The only reason we've kept it is because we will get nothing for it and we can afford the tax, insurance & MOT, which is all we pay for it. We use it for about 3 holidays a year, rarely inbetween as it is parked at my in laws which is a 10 minute walk away so public tranport is easier. Some people reckon we'll use it more once the baby is here but I doubt it. I will save money on my travelcard, currently £100 a month for a zones 2-5, though will use some pay as you go, or even get a bus pass depending on how often I end up travelling.

In my experience/opinion no one NEEDS a car, of course a lot of people rely on their cars a lot, but particularly in London you won't need one. I'd certainly keep your money. You don't say exactly where you live, but it sounds like there is a lot of what you need around you and the transport links are excellent. You'd probably not drive into central London anyway, only locally where the transport sounds easy. Once you do get a car you'll quickly end up using it for short journeys. A taxi fare from time to time is not a big issue compared to putting petrol in a car regularly!

Also have a look at http://www.carplus.org.uk/car-clubs/ and also your local council website as there should be some sustainable transport info on there.

I have bought a Maclaren XT which I can use from birth, folds easily in case does need folding on buses and have also got a number of slings which I hope to be able to use. I have got a car seat as in laws will pick us up from the hospital and even if we get rid of our car we will hire from time to time for holidays etc.

Of course the savings are not only financial but environmental, a much smaller carbon footprint for the world your little ones will grow up in!

In terms of general stuff for baby, we have spent very little, been v lucky to be given a lot, incl reusable nappies, and to have got some great bargains, new and 2nd hand. My local Netmums site is excellent and because of the higher population density there's a lot available close to home. It also sounds like your OH gets a good deal with 6 months full pay (way more than I get), and don't forget stat pay is still over £500 per month so not to be sniffed at!

Always 29 - You sound in a similar situation/area to me! I hope I can manage as well as you do!