Carless after 34 years
Discussion
For the first time since 1990 I don’t own a car. Finally moved the family to Denmark and sold the car we had in the UK. Currently no plans to buy one as not particularly car friendly here plus living in the city (with nowhere to park for free and good public transport) it doesn’t seem to make sense. I haven’t tried it but there seems to be good car sharing apps too, if you need a car short term. On top of that, like the other Scandi countries, speeding seems to be as socially acceptable as child abuse and income related fines, bans and confiscations are used to make it unpleasant if you are caught. On top of that I’m not even sure there are many decent roads to ride or drive.
Not sure how I feel about it. I still love driving and riding but congestion, crap roads and stiff penalties have taken the edge off of ownership in recent years.
Anyone else lived long term without a car?
Not sure how I feel about it. I still love driving and riding but congestion, crap roads and stiff penalties have taken the edge off of ownership in recent years.
Anyone else lived long term without a car?
A mate who lived in Southwark (with a partner, no kids) sold his car, and was careless for several years.
Suited him well: no parking cost, public transport great and hired a car when he needed to visit the regions.
A colleague lived in central Croydon: single, no kids, and was called ntent without a car. His life was not particularly outward looking, and he could get taxis to/from supermarkets cheaper than owning and running a car.
But I can't see any way my family's requirements could be met without 2 cars now.
We could make changes in our lives to accommodate one or no cars, but I won't do them out of choice, or unless the financial impact (of not doing them) was significant.
Ian
Suited him well: no parking cost, public transport great and hired a car when he needed to visit the regions.
A colleague lived in central Croydon: single, no kids, and was called ntent without a car. His life was not particularly outward looking, and he could get taxis to/from supermarkets cheaper than owning and running a car.
But I can't see any way my family's requirements could be met without 2 cars now.
We could make changes in our lives to accommodate one or no cars, but I won't do them out of choice, or unless the financial impact (of not doing them) was significant.
Ian
Lost my company car when I retired 2 years ago and haven't bought a replacement. Still got my wife's car but I rarely use it. Got my 60+ Oyster card for free travel across London and some way beyond, plus my bicycle.
Both sons used to drive my company car but aren't insured on my wife's car. I offered to cover them but they said not to bother. So they haven't driven for 2 years either. Both live in the London suburbs and work in Central London, so just have no reason to drive.
I haven't missed the car at all.
Both sons used to drive my company car but aren't insured on my wife's car. I offered to cover them but they said not to bother. So they haven't driven for 2 years either. Both live in the London suburbs and work in Central London, so just have no reason to drive.
I haven't missed the car at all.
I lived in London for 12 years without a car until I got one in 2017. It was never an issue in those years because absolutely everything is in walking distance and I did wonder for a long time if I should actually get one (did I need one?). But having private off street parking makes a massive difference and I probably wouldn’t have got one if I didn’t have that already in a city like London. I am not sure I’d be too keen to give it up now, because we now go places in the car we couldn’t otherwise go and we’d miss them. But life worked very well without it too...plus it was one less thing to worry about!!
I’d imagine it’d be very difficult to live outside city setting and not have a car though.
I’d imagine it’d be very difficult to live outside city setting and not have a car though.
If I lived in a city big enough, I think I could manage without a car. But I wouldn't like it because driving is among my favourite things to do. Closely followed by tinkering on cars. But I don't live in a city so I have four cars, a motorcycle, other petrol-powered stuff. "What are you going to do with your cars?" asked a friend the other day, wondering why I need so many. I don't know, maybe buy some more of them?
A couple of years ago.whwn I was between cars and before we bought a runabout for my daughter to learn in, I tried going carless for a month or two.
Bike to work and shops, public transport at other times, car club for longer journeys.
Although the only journeys I really 'needed' a car for were fortnightly trips to family and friends in the country who aren't near stations, plus holidays, in the end the cost of car club miles added up to not far off the cost of ownership and was a lot less convenient.
Live in London, zone 3.
Bike to work and shops, public transport at other times, car club for longer journeys.
Although the only journeys I really 'needed' a car for were fortnightly trips to family and friends in the country who aren't near stations, plus holidays, in the end the cost of car club miles added up to not far off the cost of ownership and was a lot less convenient.
Live in London, zone 3.
I think I'd really struggle with not having a car. I've had one from passing my test at 17 through to now.
For me, even if I'm not using it much (at the moment for instance I'm WFH, so it can go days without turning a wheel) the knowledge that it's there at my disposal is an element of peace of mind - that should the need arise, I can go anywhere I need to at any time of day or night, at short notice (A family member getting taken ill for example). Apart from my interest in them & enjoyment of driving them, that's what I'd miss most if I got rid of it.
For me, even if I'm not using it much (at the moment for instance I'm WFH, so it can go days without turning a wheel) the knowledge that it's there at my disposal is an element of peace of mind - that should the need arise, I can go anywhere I need to at any time of day or night, at short notice (A family member getting taken ill for example). Apart from my interest in them & enjoyment of driving them, that's what I'd miss most if I got rid of it.
Pica-Pica said:
My son lives in Osaka, Japan. You need a parking space to have a car. They get on fine without a car, excellent public transport. His wife just hires a car if they need to go into the countryside, off the beaten track.
That's how Kei cars came about, you don't need a parking space to own a Kei, some wonderful innovations came about because of thisTerminator X said:
To the OP, why move somewhere like that if cars are your thing? Imho no car equals no life, I'd be seriously unhappy.
TX.
Because there are enough compensating benefits. Having to work and live in more than one language is much more interesting to me. The team of people I work with are really nice and the city is interesting and fun. TX.
The other job offers I was getting were in London and I didn’t fancy going back to working there and facing a long commute.
Ditched mine for a few years 15-20yrs ago now.
I was working in Newcastle city centre and lived in Sunderland city centre. Public transport to/from work with ease. Drinks after work most days and a big session every Friday from lunchtime onwards.
Suited me down to the ground for a period of in my life that was amazing and so much fun (other than the minor blip that was my first divorce that the lifestyle and meeting the 2nd Mrs Alorotom created) but I wouldn’t have changed it for the world.
Fondly-looked-back-on-times.
I was working in Newcastle city centre and lived in Sunderland city centre. Public transport to/from work with ease. Drinks after work most days and a big session every Friday from lunchtime onwards.
Suited me down to the ground for a period of in my life that was amazing and so much fun (other than the minor blip that was my first divorce that the lifestyle and meeting the 2nd Mrs Alorotom created) but I wouldn’t have changed it for the world.
Fondly-looked-back-on-times.
I have been car less for around 5 years, after a head injury recieved in a car crash i ended up with epilepsy, so no more driving for me, Always had a car, even work in motorsport, so expected things to be a problem, yes it was an adjustment, but wouldnt go back now tbh.
I did have to move to walking distance of a town centre, and rail conections, but i dont miss driving now, i used to do huge miles, but lets face it, there isnt much pleasure in it anymore, either on a motorway or stuck in traffic. Plus im saving a fortune, nights out used to be a rare thing, now im out a couple of times a week, as i have way more money,
I am lucky tho, as due to me not driving beeing down to a dissability, i get a free buss pass, and reduced train fairs, and can walk to do shoping, so my travel spend is tiny.
Wouldnt have another car even if i could. It does take adjustment like i said, but once done, its almost a weight of the mind.
I still love cars and especialy motorsport, but really dont miss driving myself.
I did have to move to walking distance of a town centre, and rail conections, but i dont miss driving now, i used to do huge miles, but lets face it, there isnt much pleasure in it anymore, either on a motorway or stuck in traffic. Plus im saving a fortune, nights out used to be a rare thing, now im out a couple of times a week, as i have way more money,
I am lucky tho, as due to me not driving beeing down to a dissability, i get a free buss pass, and reduced train fairs, and can walk to do shoping, so my travel spend is tiny.
Wouldnt have another car even if i could. It does take adjustment like i said, but once done, its almost a weight of the mind.
I still love cars and especialy motorsport, but really dont miss driving myself.
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