To drive or not to drive

DavidMn · #1 11-17-2005, 02:41 PM

Ok, I've been thinking about this lately. I have 2 friends that havent driven in over 20 years, and they get around the city just fine. I'm kinda pondering the same thing. Not seriously yet, but I'm thinking about it. I really like to hear from some Ledgies that live in bigger cities that maybe dont drive and hear how it is for you. Both of my friends say they dont feel tied down at all, that the bus and light rail get them around just fine.

Jyqm · #2 11-17-2005, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidMn

Ok, I've been thinking about this lately. I have 2 friends that havent driven in over 20 years, and they get around the city just fine. I'm kinda pondering the same thing. Not seriously yet, but I'm thinking about it. I really like to hear from some Ledgies that live in bigger cities that maybe dont drive and hear how it is for you. Both of my friends say they dont feel tied down at all, that the bus and light rail get them around just fine.

Granted, I was a college student at the time, but I lived near Chicago for four years and always got around find with public transportation, though a number of my friends had cars. I've always enjoyed riding the train. If you're in a city where the public transportation is good enough that a car really isn't necessary, then go for it. You'll save money, and it'll be better for the environment.

dissention · #3 11-17-2005, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidMn

Ok, I've been thinking about this lately. I have 2 friends that havent driven in over 20 years, and they get around the city just fine. I'm kinda pondering the same thing. Not seriously yet, but I'm thinking about it. I really like to hear from some Ledgies that live in bigger cities that maybe dont drive and hear how it is for you. Both of my friends say they dont feel tied down at all, that the bus and light rail get them around just fine.

I try to drive only when I have to, otherwise I use the T. Driving here is just too stressful. The T goes everywhere, so it's no problem getting around. And I quite like riding on it. Call me crazy.

DavidMn · #4 11-17-2005, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dissention

I try to drive only when I have to, otherwise I use the T. Driving here is just too stressful. The T goes everywhere, so it's no problem getting around. And I quite like riding on it. Call me crazy.

You're in Boston right?

DavidMn · #5 11-17-2005, 02:53 PM

Maybe it's just one of those things for me that I've had a chance to see the world and the whole country, and I'm satisfied with that. The wholw environment thing is very intriging too. And what the hell, if Fleetwood Mac tours again, I can always fly or take a bus to a big sity to see them.

ragandbone · #6 11-17-2005, 02:55 PM

I lived in San francisco for about 6 years without a car, and it was a freeing experience. The bus service was so terrible at that time that I ended up buying a mountain bike to get around. At least when you walk, and bike, you know exactly how long it will take to get where you are going, and don't have to account for parking or traffic. Well, maybe you have to account for fatigue. With my Victorian flat, 3 flights up, and all the hills, I was in really good shape.

I saved a lot of money in tickets car insurance gas, and repairs, and I didn't have to get up at 6 in the morning to move my car for street sweeping! It took me a year to stop jumping when I saw a good parking spot open up in front of my house.

I got a car again in order to be able to leave the City more easily (camping, some transportation intensive jobs, a few other reasons) and because I had a garage at that point. If I were still living in the City, I would try a carshare, which is a really cool way to have access to a car for big shopping trips, or pleasure trips - without having to beg rides. Carshare is really affordable, and makes sense in a city.

sara1998 · #7 11-17-2005, 02:56 PM

I couldn't fathom not driving. But, public transportation in Indy sucks, too.

dissention · #8 11-17-2005, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidMn

You're in Boston right?

Yeah. I usually buy the combo pass every month. I had been buying the combo plus pass for ages until I realized that I didn't have to because I never use the ferry and it wasn't worth it to save 30 cents on the express routes. I wonder how much extra cash I wasted on that damned thing.

wondergirl9847 · #9 11-17-2005, 02:58 PM

I have a permit, but no license or car. I work at home and only go out when I have to. My dad and mom haul my butt around, and my friend, Lori and I go out once a month to shop, see a movie, whatever. I'm such a homebody anyways....or am I a hermit?

I wish we had better public transportation. We do have buses, the T and the new rail system, but you have to drive to get to it. LOL I can't really walk to any close transportation, except a bus. Bleck. Been there, done that. That's why I need to live in London....one of the MANY reasons.

sara1998 · #10 11-17-2005, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dissention

Yeah. I usually buy the combo pass every month. I had been buying the combo plus pass for ages until I realized that I didn't have to because I never use the ferry and it wasn't worth it to save 30 cents on the express routes. I wonder how much extra cash I wasted on that damned thing.

And, where does the ferry take you??? Pardon the ignorance, but I'm intrigued!

HomerMcvie · #11 11-17-2005, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sara1998

I couldn't fathom not driving. But, public transportation in Indy sucks, too.

I hate driving. Traffic is so bad, everywhere, anymore. I fantasize about living in town again: 3 blocks from work, 1 block from my favorite pub, 1 block to Krogers. How nice that'd be.

dissention · #12 11-17-2005, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sara1998

And, where does the ferry take you??? Pardon the ignorance, but I'm intrigued!

Lots of places, but I have no reason to use them.

Long Wharf to the Charlestown Navy Yard, Hingham Shipyard to Rowes Wharf, Pemberton Point to Logan Airport, etc.

Maybe Suze uses the boats? Do you, Suze?

hayley · #13 11-17-2005, 03:10 PM

I lived in Chicago for a couple of years without a car, until I got a job out in the suburbs. Dealing with the commute via public trans wasn't worth it. But if you can live without a car, do it. I loved taking the train. I always had my iPod/CD player and my knitting.

I have this habit of only dating guys who can't or don't drive, though, and it's frustrating. The guy I'm currently seeing is amazing- but he lives in the city and takes trans out to the suburbs to work, and doesn't have a car. So no matter who's place we stay at or wherever we do anything, I'm either driving us around out where I live and taking him to work, or doing the drive of shame in the morning, and it's driving me nuts.

SuzeQuze · #14 11-17-2005, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dissention

Lots of places, but I have no reason to use them.

Long Wharf to the Charlestown Navy Yard, Hingham Shipyard to Rowes Wharf, Pemberton Point to Logan Airport, etc.

Maybe Suze uses the boats? Do you, Suze?

No but my cousin had a place in Hull and used them, she loved it. I walk by the wharf every day though, I walk to work unless I have an appointment or something where I need my car. My doctor is out in Brookline and to take the T out there takes forEVER, its awful. I want to get rid of my car because of the horrible parking situation here but I also am having trouble letting go of it! I love tha car. Ugh.

DavidMn · #15 11-17-2005, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dissention

Yeah. I usually buy the combo pass every month. I had been buying the combo plus pass for ages until I realized that I didn't have to because I never use the ferry and it wasn't worth it to save 30 cents on the express routes. I wonder how much extra cash I wasted on that damned thing.

God, I love Boston. My favorite city I've ever been to.