Getting around without a car (Austin, Waco: apartments, rentals, crime rates)

[CptnRn]

Originally Posted by sinking

I may be wrong but it seems like the cost to rent a place in a walkable area = the cost to rent a place a little further out + the costs to own a car so you don't really save all that much and have the added inconvenience of not have control over your transportation.

How much do you think it costs to own a car? The average cost in 2006 to own and operate a car was over $8,000/year or $666/month. Even if you are in the lowest 20%, meaning you are driving a cheap and probably unreliable car it was $2,856/year or $238/month. And those numbers were estimated back when gas was only $2.56/gallon.

Some people are able to live without a car and do just fine. And are better off financially because of it.

[spelrod]

Wow, that average cost is nuts to me. Adding fudge to how much I pay after gas / insurance I doubt I even break $200/month. My car is aged but it's been reliable as hell in the 7 years I've had it.

People spend way too much money on massive pieces of metal we hurtle down the road at 70mph.

[sinking]

Originally Posted by CptnRn

How much do you think it costs to own a car? The average cost in 2006 to own and operate a car was over $8,000/year or $666/month. Even if you are in the lowest 20%, meaning you are driving a cheap and probably unreliable car it was $2,856/year or $238/month. And those numbers were estimated back when gas was only $2.56/gallon.

Some people are able to live without a car and do just fine. And are better off financially because of it.

It costs me $475/mo to own and operate two cars at current gas prices.

My mortgage with PITI is <$800/mo so add in my car expenses that are greater than necessary because of my hobby that makes it about $1250 a month. What will it cost to rent a 3 bed, 2 bath, 2 car garage house in one of the hip, walkable areas?

To make it more fair, the houses in my neighborhood are renting for about $1250/month. So, add in 475 and we are at $1725. Is that more than a 3/2/2 in a hip, walkable area?

[MtnLion512]

Originally Posted by sinking

It costs me $475/mo to own and operate two cars at current gas prices.

My mortgage with PITI is <$800/mo so add in my car expenses that are greater than necessary because of my hobby that makes it about $1250 a month. What will it cost to rent a 3 bed, 2 bath, 2 car garage house in one of the hip, walkable areas?

To make it more fair, the houses in my neighborhood are renting for about $1250/month. So, add in 475 and we are at $1725. Is that more than a 3/2/2 in a hip, walkable area?

Why would someone in a walkable area with either 1 or zero cars need a 2 car garage?

[sinking]

Originally Posted by wag more bark less

Why would someone in a walkable area with either 1 or zero cars need a 2 car garage?

Because I am trying to compare apples to apples.

-or-

Because so many people can't let go of their junk and need it for storage.

[CptnRn]

Originally Posted by spelrod

Wow, that average cost is nuts to me. Adding fudge to how much I pay after gas / insurance I doubt I even break $200/month. My car is aged but it's been reliable as hell in the 7 years I've had it.

People spend way too much money on massive pieces of metal we hurtle down the road at 70mph.

You are probably not including ALL of the LIFETIME costs of owning and operating a car, including insurance, repairs, tires, and you wisely bought one that has been reliable, although 7 years isn't very old if you bought it brand new. I agree with your last sentence, people tend to buy far more automobile then they actually need.

I was shocked after buying my first house to learn that an acquaintance had bought a brand new Corvette, at a cost that was about half of what I paid for my house. I remember thinking it was like driving my house, my most valuable possession down the road putting it at risk of someone crashing into it.

[spelrod]

It's a '96 Accord so it was already somewhat old when I bought it. I spend $60/month on insurance, $100/month gas and fudged $40/month for regular maintenance which is probably high, actually. I guess if you stretch the $7000 I paid for it over 7 years it adds $84/month. Overall I'd say $300/month over the life of the vehicle.

[spitfirex007]

Thanks for all the replies! I will check out some of these links.

I spent 7 years living in the Florida Panhandle. It gets just as hot, if not hotter then Texas. So I am use to the heat. That shouldn't be a problem. And if I must get somewhere without being sweating, I can always take a cab.

I've gone most of my life without a car. So it shouldn't be too much of a problem for me. I just need to make sure that it's possible for people to get around without it. As I plan of waiting at least a min of 6 months before trying to get one. Too many other concerns to worry about. So it would be a little less stress on my end.

I do plan on trying to find work at one of the clubs bouncing. I do have a few questions if someone could help me.

1. How late are the clubs open? In Florida everything stays open until 4am. I thought I read somewhere every shuts down at 2am?

2. What are some popular places? I'd rather work at a bigger nightclub then a small bar.

3. How many days a week are they open? I know some cities the clubs are really only busy on weekends. Other places they are up and running 7 days a week.

[blakely]

Originally Posted by spitfirex007

So my question how hard is it to get around without a car?

PRETTY DARN HARD.

I've lived in cities before without a car. Austin is not one I would even consider living in without a car.

[CptnRn]

Originally Posted by spelrod

It's a '96 Accord so it was already somewhat old when I bought it. I spend $60/month on insurance, $100/month gas and fudged $40/month for regular maintenance which is probably high, actually. I guess if you stretch the $7000 I paid for it over 7 years it adds $84/month. Overall I'd say $300/month over the life of the vehicle.

I was betting it was a Honda!