Your car-free yrs.

[shootingstar]

I haven't had a car in 20+ years, but it's not because I'm virtuous. It's because I live in New York City.

Pam

Well, being car-free for a long time, doesn't feel so lonely here in TE, after all.

During the years when I was an older teen and before I left home after transferring to another university, I never really had much access to drive the family car much at all. By evening, my father had to have the car for his work commute. His work included most evenings. He didn't get home until 1:00 am. regularily. And I was too busy with my studies.

So about 40% of time, I walked to university in my home town..which was close to 8 kms. 1 way. Or took 1 bus. Boggles my mind, when looking back to my innocent youth, that I did slog at that distance, through a snow blizzard with winds 40+ kms./hr. and a backpack full of 4 thick hardcover texts. Wearing a long, heavy wool coat, at mid-calf.

I don't do my lifestyle for environmental reasons: a) I had problems learning to drive a car and never felt comfortable. b) save money.

My partner has been car-free for last 19 yrs. of his 66 yrs. After his divorce, he never bought a car. On the days, he had custody of his children, the children took streetcar/bus to school. The stop was outside his home. They were already in their teens.

So we rent cars occasionally and use taxis several times a yr. Really the whole cost of these 2 car-based modes ..works out probably um....less than $300.00 CAN/annually.