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As some of you may know, I recently sold my car to a friend so that I could move back to town. So far, I don't completely regret it. My friends have given me rides when I need them, although I've had to wait longer than if I had my own car. I can get a bus to almost anywhere in town, although the buses only run about once an hour, and they do break down occasionally, and if the bus does not go that way, I can always depend on good old-fashioned walking.
I will probably eventually tire of walking, though, and even some of my closest job sites can be up to ten miles away or more; I can't walk that far right now comfortably. I'm averaging about three miles a day, though, and, except for some discomfort in my feet, I feel great. Walking is great aerobic exercise. There are many obvious drawbacks, though, to not having a car. If anyone calls me for a job, I will have to make sure they are either on a bus route or close enough so that either that my friends can drive me or I can walk. I also imagine I will probably find myself taking more buses or calling my friends more often when summer comes, because it will be too hot to walk very far.
I may have to get another mode of transportation. The question is, though, which one should I choose?
Cars can be quite expensive. Used cars can have mechanical problems or require a lot of extra maintenance. New cars are just super expensive. I don't think it would be wise for me to make payments on a vehicle on a substitute teacher's salary. Plus, I don't see many people admitting this, but I'm just a bad driver. I wrecked my second car in a rainstorm. I would maybe try to avoid cars altogether, but I can't ride a bicycle comfortably; there's no path for them, and drivers do not respect the rights of bicyclers on the road. Another alternative would be a motorcycle, but I don't have my motorcycle license and have not been able to pass the test.
I don't see many people admitting this, but I'm just a bad driver. I wrecked my second car in a rainstorm. I would maybe try to avoid cars altogether, but I can't ride a bicycle comfortably; there's no path for them, and drivers do not respect the rights of bicyclers on the road. Another alternative would be a motorcycle, but I don't have my motorcycle license and have not been able to pass the test.
Don't get a motorcycle or scooter as you are obviously a poor driver.
Pay your friends when they give you rides and use public transportation when available.
Buy an older, inexpensive used car and only drive it when you really need it. Maintenance costs are a reflection of the number of miles you drive, not the age of the car, so if you don't drive it much your maintenance costs will be minimal. And while all cars need repairs at some point and a few have ongoing mechanical problems, the vast majority don't cost a lot to keep on the road, especially if you don't drive them much.
Given that you're uncomfortable riding a bicycle and acknowledge that you are a bad driver, I would also advise against a scooter.
I don't know, if you are a bad driver, I don't know if going a scooter/motorcycle is a good idea, as you could get yourself seriously hurt or killed. Maybe an older car with not too high milage is better, also doing a fresh driving course to improve your driving.
Location: By the sea, by the sea, by the beautiful sea
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Why not invest in a good driving course and learn to be a good driver? It's not rocket science and if you can't learn to drive a car well do yourself a favor and cancel the motorcycle possibility.
I suppose I could invest in a driving course. The only one I know of is pretty expensive, though, the price of a good used car. It's offered by a truck driving school, but it's just to help regular people become more conscientious drivers. I've thought about it, but I've also thought that it might be a waste of money.
Having my friends take me places would be okay, but I've missed a few job opportunities, because my friends have claimed that it's too far away. I've also been losing a little sleep because of this modified schedule; sometimes I have to wait for hours on a ride if I call my friends.
Selling my car soon because I'm temporarily moving to a big city where there's lots of public trans. I wont miss the insurance, oil changes, insane gas prices, and the idiots on the road. So yeah I'm looking forward to a car-free lifestyle even if it's only temporary.
Selling my car soon because I'm temporarily moving to a big city where there's lots of public trans. I wont miss the insurance, oil changes, insane gas prices, and the idiots on the road. So yeah I'm looking forward to a car-free lifestyle even if it's only temporary.
I live in a suburban area, but getting by without a car is still doable. I'm not missing nearly as much as I thought I might, except I'm extremely tired from the extra hours I have to invest in transportation. The bus sometimes takes two hours to get me where I need to go, not because where I need to go is out of the way, but just because there are so many stops on the route. Walking can take three or four hours. Considering I have to get to work at around 7:00 in the morning, I would say that it is somewhat inconvenient.
Last edited by krmb; 04-03-2014 at 05:26 PM..
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