Things are about to get serious in my efforts to get rid of everything I own. Even more serious than when I got rid of my Arrested Development DVDs (see title). I have mentioned it a couple times, mostly in the context of “I must be crazy, because I’m considering . . . ,” but I think I am finally ready to get rid of my car. The crazy part of it is that I live in California. Southern California. The suburbs. People own cars here.
Several friends have told me that I am the level-headed person they run their ideas by just to be sure they’re being reasonable. I have brought this up several times over the last couple years with the most reasonable people I know, and they usually start out thinking I’m crazy and then go on to give cautious approval after I answer all of their questions.
My biggest concerns: 1) Is this financially responsible? 2) Is this safe? 3) Is this just going to be a big pain?
My car has been paid off for so long that I sometimes think of driving as free, but I am still paying $90 a month for insurance, $30-50 a month for gas, $150-200 a year for registration, and then more on top of all of that for maintenance. Driving is not free! Not having a car won’t be free either, and it’s hard to predict all of the costs involved, but I think I will either come out ahead or break even.
This might seem like a strange question: is it safe? But I live 1,000+ miles away from all of my family, and I have some great friends in California, but I don’t feel comfortable relying on them. I am so used to having a car and all the independence that comes with it that I worry a bit about giving that up. I feel a bit more vulnerable walking everywhere and being at the mercy of other people than I do in my own little Civic. But, my car is old and possibly not that safe itself, so I’m not sure it’s really saving me from anything.
I’ve had my own car since I was 17, so I would say I am pretty used to the convenience of it. If I am not saving a great deal of money and losing convenience, am I just going to find out after it’s too late that living without a car is annoying and not worth it? I am not out to torture myself on principle here! That’s why I have been slowly preparing myself for this for more than a year now, walking everywhere and going without a car whenever possible.
Now that I have listed the potential problems, I suppose I should say why I want to get rid of my car. Perhaps the biggest is that my car is old and I don’t trust it. I have had a series of problems with it over the last three years that have made me kind of paranoid driving it, even though it should be fine now. I like to drive, but I find the responsibility of owning a car burdensome, and the idea of being free of that responsibility is really appealing.
I live in a really walkable little city where it is totally possible to live without a car. There is a Trader Joe’s two blocks away, restaurants and shops and a movie theater a little bit further, work and school right here, and it is all safe to walk. When I first moved here, I would still drive almost everywhere, but over the years I have gotten into the habit of walking whenever I can. It takes a little more time, but I really prefer it.
That impulse toward minimalism is really strong, and my car is the biggest thing that I own. I keep thinking, “I moved here by myself with only what I could fit in that car, and now I’m trying to get rid of the car itself!” Whatever my future looks like, I like the idea of not being attached to this aging piece of metal from the 90s. Sometimes I question why I want so much to be free of these things, because I think there is a value to being embedded in and committed to a place, but I really like the idea of packing up my books and nail polish and going anywhere!
While I have gotten in the habit of walking everywhere, for the last year or so, I have still used my car to go grocery shopping (and Target shopping, of course) once a week, and then randomly to meet friends who live further away or attend events in LA. I still have some need for a car, but lucky me, ZipCar is on campus. It’s nice that I can drive a car much nicer than mine, and I don’t have to be responsible for it. I think it would actually be sad for this West Coaster not to drive at all.
Knowing myself quite well, I think that this is a thing I am really doing. But Nicole, who has patiently answered all of my No Car questions over the last year, suggested that I go a month without using my car before making a decision. So that’s what I’m doing this June. 13 days in and no problems so far!
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
Even when I lived in Manhattan, I always had access to a car, either from my husband, or from Zipcar. I don’t think I could survive without owning a car in the suburbs. There are just so many places I would want to get to around the area that taking public transportation either takes too long, or just won’t go. I like the convenience of coming and going as I please with a car. Yes, I rarely drive, and I don’t need one all the time, but it’s nice to have an option. California is a big state, taking the train can be expensive and inconvenient, so you really need to think long-term. June is just one month. Think back on your driving habits.
If you don’t own a car, then I would advise looking into rental places that rent by the hour (I believe Hertz does this) or Zipcar or something like it. You may not use a car that often, and that’s great, but there will be times you want one. If none of those options are readily available, I strongly advise against it. However, if you do have “as-needed” transportation, then I’d say dump that car insurance!
I find myself thinking ALL THE TIME about getting rid of things I own, because there are a lot of things I have but don’t use. I have them just to have them. I can’t get rid of my car, work is a ten minute drive away, but I’d love to just minimize how much JUNK I have.
Ever watch Nerimon on YouTube? I’m constantly watching his videos, and I’m amazed at how little he owns and he’s still ridiculously content with his life. I find myself wishing I could be more like him.
Sounds like a sensible plan to me. We made the same decision a little while ago. The car itself was paid for but we live in the centre of London, with public transport everywhere you look.
We also have Zipcars (and other similar schemes) within easy walking distance as well as ‘normal’ car hire companies.
The decision was made the day we got in the car (for which we also had to pay an annual fee to park near our home) and tried to answer the question ‘when did we last use the car?’. The fact that we couldn’t remember kind of sealed that one for us.
There’s emotional attachment which is hard to deal with and we still have another car sitting in a family member’s garage (not in London) for when we go & visit, although we’ll probably get rid of that sometime soon too.
I think your plan to live a minimalist life is great and one I’m aiming for, although it’s not easy and has to be done once you’ve had the time to come to the decision to get rid of things. The change needs to feel positive and refreshing, not as though you’re being punished. Sounds like you’ve reached that point with the car thing so good for you! :)
I’m glad that my thought about Arrested Development was correct. I will resist the urge to sprinkle choice Tobias quotes throughout this comment.
I’ve been thinking about this as well. For a long time I was looking at moving into a city where a car would be almost nothing but an extra expense, for only the occasional benefit, and started talking about getting rid of it. My parents made it clear I would be essentially disowned if I made such a, in their minds, stupid decision like that. They had some good points about the car being paid off and my job situation still a little bit in flux (and me possibly needing a car to get to work if that changed) which swayed me enough, and the more time I spend in the city the more I realize I probably don’t want to live here full time.
But I still hate the fact that I pay $200 a month in insurance (especially since most of that is because I’m a guy; seriously, why are insurance companies allowed to discriminate based on stats? I am a damn good driver with a perfect record, why the Hell do I pay more just because I was born with a certain set of parts?!). And I still kind of hate that my search for a home is dependent on parking, which tends to add a decent chunk to the price.
So, go for it.
Beste Ashley,
You’ve already decided, why are you delaying the inevitable? Just do it.The only thing you need to let go is your emotional attachment.Your car has served you well,let it go.
Go Dutch and get a bicycle. You may laugh because I’am, at this far out idea of you on a bicycle.Sorry I’m indulging myself.
Less gives you more.More choices.No more road irritations.More planning.Less freedom.
groetjes
As long as you can still get to the airport, I see no problem with this plan.
I actually don’t own a car right now, but it is VERY inconvenient for me as I don’t live in a walkable area and our public transportation system is atrocious and unsafe. So, for me, the answer is to get a car. (Which is why I’m buying my mom’s car. But that’s a whole ‘nother story!)
But it seems like this might be a good idea for you. You do have access to Zipcar it seems so it’s not as if you’re without any options at all. And if you have the ability to walk to most places, it may seem like an unnecessary expense. And it’s obvious you’ve been thinking about this for a long time (not just for this month…) so it’s a decision I know won’t be made lightly. So I say go for it! Just go all crazy and get rid of your car. :)
i have been talking about getting rid of my car for YEARS. i just hate the financial burden of the thing and it also scares me how stupidly dependent i am on it. if i didn’t work a job that had me usually getting off work around or after midnight, i’m fairly certain i would have gotten rid of it by now. but now that i am moving to florida i finally get to sell it and i am just SO excited!
can’t wait to hear how your june experiment goes :)
I love this. I have a lot of friends without cars in Austin and they do by fine even without a great public transit system. One girl also got a bike and that helped her extend her “walking radius.”
I’ve recently replaced driving with talking the light rail and biking …. And I love it! It costs me about $60/ month and 16 miles of exercise a day. Thats like a tank of gas.
I still cannot let go of my car, though… Unless I can figure out a way to make my big dog ride on the handlebars whenever I go home..
Kudos to you! You are braver than I :)
Wow, I am loving how dedicated you are to this minimalistic lifestyle. Very coo and impressive.
I guess my recommendation is to try and work out a plan that is somewhere in between ‘owning a car and not owning one’. So keep the car, just drive it a hell of a lot less than you currently do. You said gas was $30 – $40 a month, well cut that down to say $15 (or even $10 or less!). Perhaps there is a far cheaper insurance plan also because of the fact that you would be driving less. I just worry about that day when you need it because of some emergency (which is highly unlikely I know).
I am very interested in seeing how your 1 – month trial go!
it’s a shame we don’t live in NYC. I was soooooo jealous of their fabulous subway system. I wouldn’t want to get rid of my car, but I love crusing by the ocean, BUT…I also love walking, and I use my car as little as possible. I say go for it. Your friend has a good plan with the whole test period. Good luck with your decision :)
Also, I read your first post on all of this, and what a perfect paragrah this is:
“I know pretty clearly the few things that I want out of life and, yes, sometimes those mountains look so high that I busy myself with purchasing the best equipment and unpacking and repacking my backpack so that everything is perfect, but the mountains don’t get any smaller and my desire to summit them doesn’t diminish either. So, I stop with the distractions and just start climbing.”
ahhhhh…it’s perfect. And something I think I want to post on my wall.
I have car cuz work requires it. Outside of work, I really avoid driving if I can. From May 2011 to May 2012 (almost to the day), I drove 5K miles. I use to drive 12-13K a year.
My ideal life would include one without a car – even with a husband and a kid.
I can’t wait to hear how this goes!
I highly suggest checking out New Belgium’s Tour de Fat. They have people in various cities all over the US giving up their cars, and donating them to support a local charity. (And in return they get a sweet bike.) I’m fairly positive they’ve got some great tips for living car free. And they’ll be in Southern California in the fall!
I’ve been living car-free since 2007. I love it. Granted, I am practically dependent on public transit. I’m working on biking more–but first I’ve got to replace my stolen bike.
I went 5 months without a car once. But when Texas summer came and my car was miraculously fixed, I jumped right into it.
I’ve been car-less for almost 15 years. Now, I have the benefit of living in NYC, which helps, but for four years I lived in a small town in Kentucky. You’re friend’s advice about a test period is great. It gives you a chance to see just how walkable and safe your comminuty really is when walking.
People definitely thought I was strange when I lived in KY – it’s not like we had a lot of public transporation or shops. Visiting friends who lived out of town was the hardest part – lots of country living out there. You learn a lot about your community when you don’t have a car – which scary looking blocks are actually friendly, what intersections are more dangerous or difficult to cross.
The best part of not owning a car and your minimalism plan is that you become a very picky shopper – you know have to carry everything home, it’s too heavy, bulky, or not important you just won’t be buying it and bringing it into your home. You also only go to the store when you have to – lists become your best friend so that you only need to make one trip rather than hoping in the car to pick up one item.