It's probably weird to write a post about life with cars, but, alas, here I am. I'm returning my leased Mini Cooper back to the dealer, and, quite honestly, I'm apprehensive living a life without a car!
After I graduated college and started my big-time grown up job in the Bay Area, my parents helped me get a car. I wanted a Mini Cooper because it was cool. They wanted a Honda Civic because it was reliable. Of course, they won. So from 2001 to 2015, I drove my trusty Civic up and down the California coast, had adventures with friends, replaced it's windows when it was broken into (three times. SIGH), and participated in the ingrained car culture of entitlement without a second thought.
After I graduated college and started my big-time grown up job in the Bay Area, my parents helped me get a car. I wanted a Mini Cooper because it was cool. They wanted a Honda Civic because it was reliable. Of course, they won. So from 2001 to 2015, I drove my trusty Civic up and down the California coast, had adventures with friends, replaced it's windows when it was broken into (three times. SIGH), and participated in the ingrained car culture of entitlement without a second thought.
me and my car decora in 2001
Since I lived in the suburbs all my life, having a car was normal. Places are sprawled out. Work is far. Errands are easier with a car. There should always be parking for cars everywhere. Everyday. Normal.
When it came time to finally retire my car in 2015, I decided to get my dream car - a Mini Cooper. I had moved to San Francisco - the first real urban city I've ever lived in - and work was now an hour commute down the bay. I leased a Mini and bought the appropriate miles since I planned to commute 5 days a week for the next 3 years. On top of that, I had procured a parking spot in a nearby garage, since parking in my neighborhood was tough.
But then everything changed. I was given the opportunity to work from home, and naturally, I took it. I got to take care of my little Marty, save on gas, and not deal with a daily hour plus commute. I would go to work once a week, and it was less stressful. I used my car once or twice a week, and it sat in my paid garage space while I gallivanted around San Francisco via public transportation.
When it came time to finally retire my car in 2015, I decided to get my dream car - a Mini Cooper. I had moved to San Francisco - the first real urban city I've ever lived in - and work was now an hour commute down the bay. I leased a Mini and bought the appropriate miles since I planned to commute 5 days a week for the next 3 years. On top of that, I had procured a parking spot in a nearby garage, since parking in my neighborhood was tough.
But then everything changed. I was given the opportunity to work from home, and naturally, I took it. I got to take care of my little Marty, save on gas, and not deal with a daily hour plus commute. I would go to work once a week, and it was less stressful. I used my car once or twice a week, and it sat in my paid garage space while I gallivanted around San Francisco via public transportation.
my car in new york!
As Jon's job took him to the east coast, we brought the Mini with us. I was paranoid about the snow, and it's detrimental affect on my car. I can't help it - I'm paranoid that way! While it was convenient for groceries and short jaunts to neighboring states, it became increasingly clear- having a car was not only a nuisance but a financial drain. I was paying for gas, parking, insurance, and a lease for a car I barely used. I had gotten used to walking, taking public transportation, and car share programs like Zipcar that I no longer needed a car.
Here we are now, on the cusp of living a car-free life, and it frightens me. I loved having my Mini Cooper - it was so damn sporty and awesome. It fit my style perfectly! However, I'm excited for the financial aspect of not having a car (more money for dresses!). I have to train myself that I don't need a car to get myself everywhere, and I need to depend on other modes of transportation. We'll see how this goes!
What are your thoughts on living a car-free life?
*Gary Numan - Cars
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