How to live well without owning a car

Posted on Sep 14th 2006 7:00AM by Kristi Anderson

Filed Under: Diet & Weight Loss, Reviews & Products, Alternative & Green Health

Between rising gas prices, endless car payments, and countless hours spent in gridlocked traffic, do you ever get the feeling that you don't own your car but rather your car owns you? Car-free convert Chris Balish shows why kicking car dependency could be the soundest and sanest lifestyle change you can make, and provides realistic strategies for making the leap. From saving money to building a better world (even a section on car-free dating!), this book also contains many testimonials from others who have already set out on the car-free and "car-lite" road. This subject isn't new to us here at That's Fit. You may remember blogger Sarah Gilbert's input on the subject here.

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Tags: Chris Balish, ChrisBalish, How to live well without owning a car, HowToLiveWellWithoutOwningACar

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Finished.Law.School 9-14-2006 @ 6:50PM

Living without a car would be so much easier in a city with decent public transportation like San Francisco or NY. It is something I miss from living in England and Tokyo...

bottleman 9-15-2006 @ 10:54AM

Hey Finished.Law.School and all, there may be something else that helps you besides public transport. I lived without a car for some years and I found it works best in these circumstances:

1) If you live in a place where it's easy to walk for everyday purchases and tasks (grocery store, gym, etc); and

2) there is some way you can get a car once in a while. That way even if you don't NEED a car to live, you can have the pleasure of going out of town, to the country, etc. once in a while.

Besides car rental, "car sharing" has become increasingly common in the States and Canada. It's a way of renting a car that is parked very close to you; you usually pay by the hour and the fee includes everything -- including insurance and gas. Here's a directory of carsharing in the US: http://www.carsharing.net/where.html

For some decidedly less practical environmental tips and thoughts, check out my blog. Cheers!

Gloria Duff 9-15-2006 @ 11:21AM

In my twenties I had an epiphany that if I drove a car I would not have long life because I would not be using my body. At age 42 I developed family related diabetics. I catch trains, buses, and walk everywhere. I am always on the go. Just about no place is too far for me to walk. At the age of 62 inspite of the diabetes, with no insulin needed, I am fit and healthy and I contribute a lot of it to not owning a car.