living without a car

Badgergal

I have to say this thread is interesting, I am having hassle with my car (as anyone in the Motoring forum would see!) and am still toying with whether or not to give it up - I just feel sad because I am attached to the thing - how ridiculous, eh!

And whoever was saying you think nothing of spending out on a car, but everything of a fiver on a taxi - you are so right! Why are we like this?

Badgergal

I've done it, I sold my car yesterday. Will be reading back over this thread for reassurance that I've done the right thing!

I have a bike though, and am doing a bike maintenance course next month so I can save money on repairs in the long run.

gromituk

Good for you. It may be worth getting more than one bike, so you can take out the second one if the first has a puncture and you really don't feel like fixing it at the time. You can get many bikes into the space of one car!

As you're in London, I'd say it's essential (for many reasons) to join the LCC if you haven't already.

Badgergal

Hi gromituk - unfortunately I don't have space for more than my bike and my boyfriend's - we have to keep them inside cluttering up my studio flat as my last rusty old bike was stolen from outside the flat despite being locked up well, they must have been desperate!

The car was parked outside on the estate so the space it's left doesn't translate to bikes unfortunately, has already been filled by another car!

I will consider joining the LCC, they seem to do good work.

newlywed

My car died (would have cost too much to go through MOT).

However we are finding it very tiring as journey to and from work is now 1 hour 15 each way instead of 25 minutes. Food shopping for the family is difficult as home delivery leaves quite a bit to be desired and it takes so long to get home we either have to have the latest slot (which means they are late or don't come) or a weekend one (which means staying in for the delivery). If we run out of anything then its a 40 minute round trip walking to get bread and milk.

To get to some of the buses we need it's either two buses or 25 minutes walk and one bus. To pick the step kids up it's a taxi - no other choice.

So with 4 buses a day (over £3 each for a days ticket) and taxis and paying for shopping delivery, it is costing us £300 this month alone, and is very tiring. Petrol would normally be £70, insurance £30, tax £15. So costing much more.

And we live in what is apparently "a city" with good transport.

So well done to those that manage without car. It isn't easy and in our "city" it certainly isn't cheaper.

Hapless_2

I would like to go car free, unfortunately we are rather short of that rare species called buses, and then they don't concide with hospital appointments, don't run to the nearest town (the nearest chemist is 9 miles away) and are expensive.
4 kids, 2 adults 1 wheelchair on a small bus does not make you popular!

gromituk

Badgergal wrote: »

Hi gromituk - unfortunately I don't have space for more than my bike and my boyfriend's

Well you've got the perfect excuse to invest in a Brompton then!

Badgergal

Do you mind Gromit, I'm trying to be moneysaving!

I can well see why some people might need a car - I was in the same position as newlywed with the car costing too much for MOT (I never thought someone would buy it but they did, inc faults!) - and if I used it more I would have paid it to get another years use of the car.

As it was, it wasn't worth it as, apart from when it messes up royally, transport near me isn't all that bad and I found the endless search for parking spaces really stressful anyway.

RAS

Hi

Gave up the car about 8 years ago. I used to commute over several sites, but we were relocated to one site and it is near a transport route.

I get fuming sometimes about the train stuck waiting for trespassers on the line or whaterver, but I used to fume about getting stuck on the motorway, at least once a fortnight. And at least there are fewer people trying to wipe me out, at a slower speed than on the motorway.

have occasionally hired a car or take a taxi, intend to join the local car club. Use long distance trains and have to get my skull round rural timetables sometimes. Work will provide a hire car for long journeys in preference to paying mileage.

But, I get to walk every day, to read the paper or prepare for work, talk to my neighbours on the bus. If you live in the town and your job does not involve travelling between sites, it really is OK. as long as you can cope with the negative social attitude.


And it is generally less stressful and one lessthing that can go wrong.

rachnbri

Before I was working I managed quite cheerfully without a car - walked the kids to and from school etc and got a taxi once a week with a big shop. However now I work full time and there aren't enough hours in the day to walk everywhere. Also I have moved but kept boys in the same school (mainly because of their wonderful childminder). I have a fifteen mile round trip from home to childminder to work and back. I used to rely on lifts for cubs and the kids often missed a week when I couldn't get them a lift and I couldn't even contemplate any other clubs. Now they go to cubs and jujitsu and various after school things and it's not a problem. It's also no hassle to get them to cub camps etc. My mum bought us a national trust membership for Christmas and we wouldn't be able to use it without a car. I've been driving for two years and don't know how I managed before! Also to be perfectly honest I really enjoy driving - even in traffic jams - just have the radio on singing along and having my 'me' time!!

That said I was very very lucky with my car. I got a 10 year old metro for next to nothing. Full service every year since first owner, unbelievably low mileage, very reliable, very fuel efficient (£15 every two weeks) low tax, low insurance. Cost me about £100 to get through last MOT but bearing in mind what it cost me I didn't begrudge that. There is no way on earth I could afford a new flash car! But to be honest I don't need one. If you're looking at cutting back could be worth looking at a decent old car rather than giving up entirely as a compromise.