Life without a car

Totally agree M0nica. I had to give up my car when I lost, very quickly, most of my sight and I hate it. I use taxis and buses but everything takes so much longer and has to be planned ahead. Our bus service works on a hub principal so, to reach anywhere that isn’t in our very depleted town centre, takes two busses and a lot of waiting about.

I don't live somewhere with great public transport, also limited energy (M.E.) so I will only give up my car when forced to. I love having my car. My OH suggested getting rid of one and sharing. A firm no to that.
You have to do what suits your particular situation.

I think everyone needs to make the decision that is best for their life. And all of us have different life styles, live in different places and face different problems.

Those living in towns with a full range of transport services, and compact lives, can undoubtedly live without a car, but not every one is in that happy situation and I see no reason for those who are, to consider themselves superior to the rest of us.

Your decision is made easier by the fact that your car is kaput - it's not like deciding to get rid then regret.

I haven't had a car for years but was never an enthusiastic driver - we always lived very close to a Tube station so didn't drive much anyway.

Living in London and being a keen walker a car-less life is very easy as public transport is excellent. The tube, bus and train is free with my Oyster card. As I'm saving the cost of running a car I have no hesitation in getting a taxi/Uber should the need arise.

Give it a go!

I still own a small car though I don't use it much. I am taxi for my DMiLfor outings and hospital appointments and when I visit DD as she is 12 miles from the nearest bus.
I am very well off for buses into Edinburgh. They even run through the night. We share lifts for U3A outings.
When DS comes from NZ this year I will lend him the car so he doesn't have to hire one.
Other DS has gone electric.
You have to plan more carefully without a car but there is much to recommend life without.
I have several friends who are deliberately carless and my only complaint is that they slam my doors and are clueless about directions so make bad passengers.

We decided to go down to one care when we moved 18months ago but it didn't work out. Public transport here is poor, no railway station and the town itself lacks amenities or decent shops. Added to that a slipped disc and it's aftermath given me mobility issues so I recently bought a second car just an inexpensive Fiesta and it's proved very convenient straight away and means we can both follow our activities and appointments. I would definitely say it's important to keep up your driving skills unless you live in a city with good transport links. I wouldn't own a car if I lived in London.

Hetty me too never ever had a car my mum and dad never had a car nor either sets of grandparents So I guess we ve all managed our lives perfectly well
My free bus pass can take me anywhere I want to go and my cycle takes me around locally most of my driving friends have given up around 75 a few still drive but I never ask for lifts
All my children and most grandchildren have cars apart from the two youngest

Redhead56

Our friends both had cars but the husband decided to share a car on retirement it was a bad idea. My husband would know not even to suggest it I will drive and have my independence until it’s not possible. I do use public transport occasionally but it’s not convenient most of the time.

Same here Redhead56 The once my H mentioned it I told him it would be his car that went. Not mentioned since.

When my mother gave up her car in her 80's she had to rely on taxis - no buses near her - or friends and family. she hated the lack of independence. Taxis were very hit and miss, in spite of ordering them for a specific time they frequently did not arrive on time. When she became wheelchair bound and could only use wheelchair suitable taxis the problem was far worse.

For me the convenience and independence of having a car at my disposal outweighs the expense. It may well be different if I was in a different financial position.

Our friends both had cars but the husband decided to share a car on retirement it was a bad idea. My husband would know not even to suggest it I will drive and have my independence until it’s not possible. I do use public transport occasionally but it’s not convenient most of the time.

whoops - (and walking the dog) have been good exercise too - so I'm fit and slim without gym membership!

GagaJo, never had (or wanted) one - and happy so far. Living in London, I've often wondered why so many folk here bother with them. I get stuff delivered and go about using cabs, trains and buses -or cycle and walk. I make full use of my freedom card, save money, and avoid all that endless bother:

Finding somewhere to park
Having to return to that spot
Tax, insurance, servicing, Mot, maintenance, cleaning, petrol, depreciation, replacement etc. etc.

All those things have never crossed my mind, let alone bothered it. Getting about 9and walking the dog)

We built a house, 12 years ago, in a village on a good bus route, and I thought it would stay that way as we are between 2 towns (small by some standards, but they both act as local hubs), one of which had the admin centre for the local council. So I thought we'd be OK.

Now we have 3 buses a day - theoretically to take folk to and from work, but they are unreliable, and one in the middle of the day that is very unreliable. Anyone with a job locally can't afford to rely on buses, and anyway, as many of the jobs are shift / casual, the timing doesn't work anyway. Only students use them, and the council say 'no-one wants to use the buses'. Well of course they don't!

Plus side, lots of folk cycle.

Grandma70s

I haven’t got a car, but I live in a place with good public transport. If that’s not convenient, I use taxis. Taxis are much cheaper than having a car, and you don’t have to maintain or park them.

Cars can be very convenient, of course, but they need attention and upkeep. I could afford one, but just don’t want the trouble. It does depend where you live, though. In rural places, a car is invaluable.

Totally agree. When I downsized prior to retirement, I found a new job, and then a flat near bus routes and a good rail link, that would make giving up the car easier.

I get travel sick in buses, and a taxi, one way from the railway station, 4 miles away, charges £15. I think we have the most expensive taxis in the country. I will stick with my car for the moment.

I too dread the day I have to stop driving, it’s my independence but circumstances change and we have to adapt.. However if you have a good bus service it makes life easier. the money you save on running a car can pay for taxis for journeys not on bus routes. Sure you will adapt to living without your car and just think what you are doing for the environment.

My grandchildren are an hour's drive from me. It would be the best part of a day's journey by public transport.
However, if I had to give up the car, I would take a taxi to the rail / coach station, and again at the other end (or be picked up). That would take me about 3 hours in total.

I live in the same area that I was brought up in, and buses were regular & reliable.

I dread the day when/if i have to give up driving.
I love the freedom of getting up and deciding to pack a picnic/flask of tea and were off.

When Dad had to give up his car they used public transport and often used taxis even for quite long distances. It worked out far cheaper than running a car.

I love the freedom of having a car. Yes, I probably could save a bit, if I used public transport. But, if I wanted to visit the children, it would take me 2 bus changes. Besides, I usually visit after kids return from school, have tea with them and then return home about 8p.m. In Winter it gets dark and I don’t fancy waiting at bus stops late at night.
I don't drink, smoke or eat out often. My car is my luxury.

I don’t think I could manage without a car, despite being on a good bus route it’s quite a hike to the bus stand and across 4 lanes of fast moving traffic. Both DD’s live 25 miles away - half an hour on a good day, but hours by bus and £40/50 by taxi.
I dare say I’ll get a more modest car, possibly hybrid at some point, as each round trip costs me £11 in diesel.

is your mum able to contribute to that cost of visiting her ?

I had to sell my lovely little Ford Ka teo years ago as I needed the money to pay a couple of big red bills, and selling my car was the only way I could raise the money. Fortunately I live in an area that has a reasonable regular bus service and now I'm an OAP, I have a bus pass which saves me the cost of bus fares.

Looking at the price of petrol, though, I'm glad I no longer have a car to pay out for - not just the fuel but servicing and maintenance also.

I can travel by bus accompanied by my two small dogs and also to do my grocery shopping; but the disadvantage of being without a car is when I need to visit my elderly Mum who doesn't live in the same town as me. A round trip by train to visit Mum, with taxi fares from the station to her home and again back to the station, costs around £30 a time which is the same as a week's grocery money .

I did make this choice , was okay with it at first. Not so happy now

there was a discussion on MN about being annoyed at middle-aged people who had moved to a place 30 mins walk from bus.
they assumed neighbours would give them lifts.
which annoyed the neighbours.
no disability/lack of finances involved, they just preferred not to drive, nor cycle.

Great tips there, Nannarose!