Vox Civitatis the New Colonist weblog
09/11/2006: "Walking Home"
When my husband and I decided to return to the US after five years abroad, we vowed to continue the car-free lifestyle to which we'd grown accustomed. We enjoyed the extra disposable income freed from the budgetary restrictions of car payments, insurance, maintenance and gas. Such savings enabled us to see much of Europe. We would be making our new home in Washington, D.C., and since I had never lived on the East Coast, I was excited to continue putting toward travel any extra money saved by resisting the temptation to own a four-wheeled ton of metal, this time for exploring the surrounding states. Friends were dubious about our ability to hold out. "You'll fold in a week," predicted one such naysayer. But, we were determined to survive. MOREOn Thursday, September 14th, Mike said:
I tried to see how long I could go car free in LA. I folded in matter of weeks.
Three difficulties...
1. I'm not an alarm clock type of person, but, commuter trains require scheduling and planning.
2. This old house requires a lot of trips to the hardware store for big/heavy items.
3. I'd developed my friends over the years using cars. Without a car, they became very far away.
If I actually had friends nearby, I think I could have stuck it out, though.
I tried to see how long I could go car free in LA. I folded in matter of weeks.
Three difficulties...
1. I'm not an alarm clock type of person, but, commuter trains require scheduling and planning.
2. This old house requires a lot of trips to the hardware store for big/heavy items.
3. I'd developed my friends over the years using cars. Without a car, they became very far away.
If I actually had friends nearby, I think I could have stuck it out, though.
On Thursday, September 14th, Eric said:
Number two is a big one for me. It's true that car-free living is easier in a dense environment with lost of transit. Much easier in San Francisco than Pittsburgh, although Pittsburgh is not impossible. The more people live car free, the easier it will be.
Number two is a big one for me. It's true that car-free living is easier in a dense environment with lost of transit. Much easier in San Francisco than Pittsburgh, although Pittsburgh is not impossible. The more people live car free, the easier it will be.
On Friday, September 15th, Rory said:
I've been car free all my life, living in London helps but when presented with a city or job that doesn't fit the lifestyle I move. Why anybody would live in a place where friends do not lve within walking distance beats me.
I've been car free all my life, living in London helps but when presented with a city or job that doesn't fit the lifestyle I move. Why anybody would live in a place where friends do not lve within walking distance beats me.
On Thursday, September 21st, Eric said:
Well, I'm not sure it's healthy to limit your friends to those who live within walking distance. Some do, some don't.
Well, I'm not sure it's healthy to limit your friends to those who live within walking distance. Some do, some don't.