Anyone Else NOT Want a Car?

[Teresa T]

Hi everyone. I just found out about this site and I am all for frugal living.

I'm 48 and think about retirement and want to retire as simply as possible. One thing I do not want to do is pay for a car. This idea started several years ago when I worked with an older nurse who was obviously having a hard time being on her feet so much. I asked her why she worked so much; Couldn't she work less. Her reply "well I have a car payment"

Yikes I thought. I would hate to work for a car.

I bought a new car 2 years ago. I am hoping it will be my last car.

Anyone have thoughts or experiences on this subject?

[Marie78]

I agree with not wanting a car payment. I am 30 years old. My first car was given to me used when my dad bought a new one. I drove that car (payment free) until it was 10-12 years old and needed more work than it was worth. The car I drive now was new when I bought it and I loathed my 5 year monthly car payments. I paid it off last year, and I have really enjoyed not having a car payment this year. I plan on driving this car until it's on it's last legs (hopefully at least 6 to 8 more years). I would consider public transportation in the future. I don't live in a big enough city to make it reasonable, however, if we end up in a city with safe streets to walk, buses to ride, and a subway I would definitely consider that as a regular mode of transportation. My fiance and I would also consider just having one car for the both of us in the future (if we needed to own one).

[perSue]

I WISH I could live w/out the need of a car.
but too many things are outta the way, not on public transport lines, or not in walking/biking distance... especially family/friends.

I'm not near retirement yet, but I agree that having to work to pay for "a car" is a bit much... especially if bought new.

[Guest57]

We make our last payment on our van next month and then we own both cars free and clear. The girls will be taking Drivers Ed. next year, so we are hoping dh's car will be their first and in the meantime, we'll be putting the usual car payment in a separate savings so that we can pay cash for the next one in 2 years! (We usually purchase certified used Honda's. Hubby's just hit 200,000 mile mark in June!)

[LadySlipper]

I'd love to not own a car! BUT, now that hubby is retired he has started catching up on home repairs (and has been doing a very good job at it so far ). Because of that, we have needed to haul wood, etc and having a car has saved us a lot in delivery fees so far.

Still, this is going to be our last car. It's paid for...and we're babying it so hopefully it'll last for many years to come.

[Squirt]

Is this about not wanting a car, or not wanting a car payment? I happen to love my car, and to love driving. I don't drive when I don't have to, but when I do I really enjoy the experience. I wouldn't enjoy it in a rust bucket, of course, but my little car is exactly what I wanted and it leaves me with a strange feeling of satisfaction to know that I have no car envy anymore- if you want to call it that- what I had was the desire to research and examine cars of every kind to see what my next one would be. Now I can just enjoy myself. Naturally I don't want a car payment, but the car I have now makes me not mind it so much.

[Monner 1]

I couldn't have said it any better Squirt. It was like you wrote the words that were in my mind. I live outside the city so I must have a car to do anything. I do love my little car also so I don't mind the payments. It was used when I got it so that helped also.

Monner

[madhen]

I don't particularly like or dislike my truck, but I couldn't imagine living without it. When it dies, I'll probably get a bigger truck.

I bought it used and for cash, so no payments and it cost about half of what a new car would have cost. It came from the dealer, so I knew it was reliable. It is now eight years old and going strong (knock on wood).

I live out in a semi-rural area, and I have livestock. I use my truck for hauling food, animals, fencing, etc. I guess I could try to convince my donkeys to take up the slack, but something tells me I wouldn't have much luck with that!

[Teresa T]

Thanks for your replies everyone. It is so difficult to live without a car. At least in the U. S. where mass transit leaves a lot to be desired. Where I live now (about 5 miles out of town) I could not be without a car. I need it to go to work and everything else.

No this is not about a car payment. This is about living without a car. Period. No car. No repairs. No insurance. No gas. I'm not there yet but I want to be. Of coarse it would mean living in an area where I had access to transit/and or very close shopping.

When I bought my car 2 years ago I wanted simple and basic. I bought a Toyota Corolla. **knocks wood** it has been a good car. I love the manual windows since my old car had trouble with the electric windows almost from the start and my drivers window did not go down for probably 5 years. I drove that car until it was on it's last wheel.

A car is freedom yes. In my younger years I lived in a another country for too short of a time. It had great bus transit and I loved taking the bus there.

[Teresa T]

madhen, I certainly understand living more rural necessitates a car.

I live in a house but have not been able to enjoy a lot about owning this place (I'm going to go into this in another post) I drive over 5 miles out of town for this house where I can't have outdoor pets because I'm afraid a neighbor will harm them, I may as well live in town. As a single female, I think I am better and safer in a more urban area.

[madhen]

I've lived in town and I've lived in the country. Both have definite advantages and disadvantages. When I lived in the city, I walked everywhere. I could walk to the grocery store, so I would go every couple of days and only buy a few items each time. Now I go about once every two weeks and try to stock up.

When I lived in the city, my car was parked behind my house, in a little open car pad. I rarely used it. I could get everything I wanted by either bike or foot.

But when I lived in the city, I never had a night without hearing people yelling outside, or cars screeching around corners, or other people's stereos or t.v.s, or fire engines. I never saw the stars, because the lights of the city washed them out. I grew up in the country, and I missed it too much to outweigh the benefits of having everything at hand.

Now I live out on property. I also have an idiot neighbor (figures - ONE neighbor, and he's an idiot), and I lock my doors when I leave the house. But at least he is a mostly quiet neighbor, albeit a dishonest and somewhat desperate one. I hate it when I realize I'm out of something I need, because that will entail a 20 minute round trip drive IF that item is available at the local stop-and-rob. Otherwise, count on an hour.

But now I'm also surrounded by my animals, who greet me every time they see me, and by growing things, and at night, I swear I can see every little star in the sky.

I have to drive 45 miles to work every day, and 45 miles back, but EVERY NIGHT, when I turn off the main road onto the little dead end road that leads to my 1/4 mile long driveway, I feel a burden lifting off my shoulders, as I leave the city behind. And if the weather is nice, I roll down the window, get a whiff of heather and the incredibly loud sound of frogs singing me along my way.

[Teresa T]

Wow madhen your home sounds wonderful out in the country. I am sorry about your idiot neighbor. There seems to be so many idiots out there.

I live in a planned neighborhood a bit out. I hear plenty of noise here from neighbors including cursing, stereos, surround sound TV.

A life in the country would have been wonderful for me but that is not how life turned out for me. And it's OK. It sounds as if you are really in the country. I'm a bit out but still surrounded by close neighbors. As a single female, I'm better off being close in.

I love chickens. My mother had pet chickens in the city limits. The neighbors never turned her in. Now chickens are becoming more accepted as pets. I'd love to have chickens here but again would worry about neighbors harming them. If in the country, I would have loved pet cows.

I peeked at your profile (I hope you don't mind) and see you also live in California. I live within driving distance of Farm Sanctuary and love to go to events there and visit with my animal friends.

I will be moving not to a city like Sacramento but to a larger town. College town that I lived in 7 years prior and would like to return.

Unfortunately country life for me is a visit only. I can't live far out on my own.

[daughter of pearl]

I'm 45 years old next week, have raised kids and worked outside the home, and have never had a car...don't miss it, don't want one...

[Teresa T]

That is great to hear daughter of pearl! I see you live in Canada. Probably better transit.

I like my future goal of no car. I know it will be an adjustment but I think it will be a good one. Hearing of people like you, who have never had a car, is a great inspiration!

[LexTysMommy]

I would love to have no car. BUT with 2 kids in school, sports, activities, and everything being spread out by up to 10 miles, it makes it hard.

Good luck to you if you decide to do this!