Most Americans have cars, but we don’t. We walk to get to most places, we use grocery delivery services and walking for groceries, and we are able to borrow my parents’ car for all necessities and some fun. Here’s why I choose not to purchase a car, and how we make do.
Getting Around by Borrowing a Car
To be clear, I have good access to a car. My parents own one. It was new in 2001. It has 30,000 miles on it – which you can see means that none of us drive much! Since they’re out of town more than half of the year, it works out for both parties if I drive their car when they’re gone. I usually take it out once a week to take my son somewhere that’s not within walking distance. We may stop at a supermarket to buy something heavy if it’s on the way.
Cost Benefits of Not Owning a Car
It’s expensive to purchase and own a car. There’s the initial investment of $5,000-$50,000, depending on factors like whether you buy a new or used car, and what make and model you purchase. Then there’s insurance, gas, and repairs. A common estimate is about $12,000 annually.
There are estimates comparing the cost of owning a car to the cost of using a rideshare like Uber or Lyft. The breakeven point may be around 6,000-8,000 miles per year; that is, if you drive more than that, you should be a car. If you drive less than that, take rideshares.
Responsibility Benefits of Not Owning a Car
Cars are a headache, unless you’re one of those people who loves cars, takes pride in them, and enjoys taking care of them. I’m not. To me, they’re a form of transportation with no emotional benefits. So, I’m just as happy not to worry about maintaining a car, getting it serviced, and handling repairs. (Of course, when I’m responsible for my parents’ car, I do all of those things, such as replacing the radiator last year when necessary).
Environmental Benefits of Using Cars Less
The environmental benefits may be most impressive of all, though I can’t claim that the environment has been the deciding factor in my choice not to own a car.
Every time you walk a mile instead of drive one, you’re saving about:
- 400 grams of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions (or 150 for an electric vehicle)
- 3-7 gallons of water
Walking causes about 90% fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to driving.
Having fewer cars on the road also reduces environmental impact from things like repairing roads.
Health Benefits of Walking
Walking instead of driving is a form of exercise. It’s good for me, and it’s an easy way to get an extra few minutes of walking with my son. We can talk while walking, and both of us can use the movement and fresh air.
Let’s face it: most Americans would probably be healthier if they had to park their cars ⅓ of a mile away. They’d think before driving and possibly walk instead of driving sometimes if they knew they had to walk 7 minutes to get to their car and another 7 minutes to walk home after using and parking the car.
How Else We Get Around
With a car being just a small portion of our transportation, how do we get where we need to go? We walk to most places. We take the bus or subway occasionally.
Walking Most Places
We walk most places. Here are some of our frequent destinations.
- My son’s school is ½ mile away.
- My parents’ house is ⅓ mile away.
- A supermarket with great prices on produce is 1.25 miles away.
- The park where my son likes to play is ½ mile away.
- The public library is 0.75 miles away.
Plus, since my son attends the local public school, most of his friends live within a mile of school, or within walking distance for us.
As you can see, most of our life is within walking distance!
Public Transportation
We live in a city with notoriously inadequate public transportation. We don’t take it much for necessities, but we do take it a lot for fun. It’s a way to get places without using a car, and it’s easy to take my son’s bike on board a bus or subway. Plus, kids and students get free rides, so I only have to pay for myself.
Drawbacks of Not Owning a Car
It’s definitely less convenient not to have a car. There are many times when I would like to just get in the car and go somewhere, whether to a store, to pick up my son, or just to get away. It is a little harder to arrange playdates that are out of walking range, doctor and dentist appointments, and other things that are too far to walk to. And sometimes I simply don’t feel like asking my parents for yet another favor like borrowing the car, especially when it’s not something essential.
No Car in My Future…But What About My Son?
I don’t expect to ever purchase my own car. I don’t like driving, and as rideshares and self-driving vehicles become more mainstream, I can’t see myself needing to take on the headache of owning a car.
I wonder if my son will want his own car, though. I can imagine that after so many years – his whole life – of needing to think carefully before going anywhere or plan anything, he may feel that having his own car gives him immense freedom.
If he gets one, I hope he’ll give me rides sometimes.
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