These excellent effects alone make going car-less worth considering, but like most decisions where you fly by the seat of your pants, the idea initially stemmed from a financial root: we need cash, we need it fast, and our car is the most valuable thing we can quickly sell.
It might sound reactionary or pretentious, but it's actually a very feasible option for us. We both work from home, we homeschool our kids, and we live in a relatively walkable neighborhood. It's a pleasant stroll to church, library, bank, plenty of shopping, and a delicious diversity of restaurants. If we need to make a long-distance trip, it's simple to snag a bargain mass-transit fare or car rental online. For running errands where pulling 3 kids in a wagon would turn a leisurely walk into a torturous trek, we can bike or take the city bus. And if Cumberland County officials ever deem the project worthy, (maybe I'll run for office!), we could have a regional rail line running right through Camp Hill someday. The idea of actually going through with selling our only motor vehicle left me a little giddy as it seems like such an interesting challege. I'm curious to know what the Gaskin Family could learn about itself in the process.
But the idea comes to a halt as suddenly there looms a wall containing this obvious fact: We have social lives outside our immediate community. We have many friends and we love them dearly. What about those meetings with friends miles away where waiting for a bus or taxi isn’t a timely option? What about birthday parties? What about when friends invite us over? The holistic reasons making this decision are negated if it turns me into the jerk who incessantly bums rides, always has to say no because taxis are prohibitively expensive, and burdens everyone with an unconventional choice that ultimately reads: “I love saving money more than I love hanging out with you.” Car-lessness might have worked just fine for Anne when Diana was just a quick walk through the Haunted Wood away, but suburban sprawl isn’t conducive to walkable friendships. I’m not willing to sacrifice fellowship for frugality.
So, the brainstorm has turned into a fog. But rather than give up the idea completely, I’m delegating the brainstorm to you; perhaps there’s a glaring pro/con/solution to my conundrum that I’m seeing right past. Do you have anything to add to the table below? Leave me a comment, I'd love to know your perspective.
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PROS: Financial: -no tires (every 4 years or so avg: ($100/y) -no registration ($35/y) -no maintenance: oil changes, fluid refills, etc. ($100/y) -no emissions test ($30/y) -no inspection ($30/y) -no repair costs (most people spend avg. $400/y, more the older the car gets) -no insurance ($50/m) -no fuel ($70/m not including road trips) -less likely to make on-the-fly purchases or buy more than we need -sell now, kbb value: $4630
Health: -increased exercise and time outdoors = -decreased health/body issues! -VASTLY decreased injury/death risk with less time on the road -increased mental health as we challenge ourselves -decreased stress levels (one less thing to maintain or pay for!)
Social: -meet people on public transportation -feel more connected to our community -blog about experience -less environmental impact -support local economy -motivation to support a regional rail system in Cumberland County (it was originally rejected) -inspire Andy to try all the fantastic restaurants down the street rather than hit the Arby's drive-thru :)
Practical: -increased educational opportunity for kids -extra free time when using PT -easier to interact with kids while walking or using PT -opportunity to experience driving different kind of cars when we rent -more conscientious of how we manage our time and spend money on transportation
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CONS: Financial: -public transportation (probably get a bus pass ($16/month) -airfare, train, taxi, etc. -Car rental, at the most 5 days a month (can rent an economy car at Alamo for $15/day = $75/month + gas) -keep drivers licenses ($20 every 5 years; ($4/year per person = $8/yr.) -I’ll have to buy a bike and bike trailer
Health: -depend on others for emergency transport -probably change health care providers to places within walking distance
Social: -have to say no, or extensively plan to go on outings not within reasonable walking distance (birthday parties, etc.) - gym membership, no Rich Valley gymnastics for kids, no spontaneous trips out of the borough -bug people by asking them for rides or saying no
Practical: -forced to plan where and when we go places outside our community -have to really bundle up in the winter
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