Livin’ Car Free
It’s been exactly one year since I gave up my car and I don’t miss it one bit. Sure, it’d be nice to have when I need to go to the grocery store or I need to see someone in the suburbs. But in exchange for buying less groceries per trip and having someone drive me or pick me up from the train station, I don’t worry about a car payment, car insurance, gas prices, emergency car repairs, finding parking in my neighborhood or someone breaking into my car. Even though I have to plan ahead and occassionally bum rides off people, my life is much less stressful without a car.
In addition to the financial benefits, I can sleep well at night knowing that I’m not adding to the harm carbon emissions are causing to the planet.
So how do I get around without a car? Being in the great city of Chicago, I have many public transportation options using the elevated train, buses and metra trains to the suburbs. I can also walk to places within a mile or two, ride my bike to places within about 5-6 miles and take a cab if none of the above options are suitable.
“That’s great for you. You live in Chicago,” you might say. People do live without cars in less urban areas though. How To Live Well Without Owning A Car provides practical ideas for people without the luxury of public transportation, so you too can live without a car.
It’s been just one year. I’m looking forward to many, many more.