Travelling by foot in LA (Pasadena: apartment, to rent, houses)

[ZenMaster2008]

I am fortunate enough to live about 2.5 miles from where I work. I have been walking home lately just because I really enjoy it after a long day at the office. It takes me only like 30-40 minutes and I do enjoy it like I said.

However, I find that my co-workers think I'm crazy and many think it's sad how I "have to walk home". I'd say every other day I get someone from my office honking, yelling down their window yelling "GET IN!". They then ask why I'm walking and I reply, it's by choice. I usually just say no thanks, I'm walking because I want to but I don't think they believe me.

I've even had a friend overhear some co-workers saying how sad it is that I have to walk home and they feel bad etc....Since I've started walking home I've heard the following (despite telling them I'm doing it by choice):
1. I know a guy who can get you a car real cheap and you can make payments
2. I can pick up a bus schedule for you on my way home
3. I can ask around the office to find a carpooler for you
4. Just keep saving your money, there's some great deals on cars now!

I might start driving again just because I feel like such an idiot sometimes. It appears my whole office feels bad for me and thinks I'm poor and must be drowning in debt. Fact is, I have my own car, I have nice chunk in savings and I have a decent apartment. I choose to walk. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate all the kindness, but it is starting to get old and I don't want any pity for trying to be healthy and enjoy a nice walk.

So why it that I'm looked upon as some weirdo who can't afford a car and has to walk alllllll the way home every day after work? Ok thats my rant for the day

[Charles]

You burn about 0.67 calories per pound-mile, so if you weigh 150 pounds you are burning 250 calories just by walking home; if you walk fast you can get your heart rate maybe into the low aerobic zone too.

1) you are burning calories
2) you may be getting a mild aerobic workout
3) you probably aren't spending that much more time walking than they are driving considing some of the notorious traffic stories I've read
4) you don't need a gym membership
5) you aren't using gas
6) you may be curbing your evening appetite too

I work out just about every day. I told a buddy of mine at work that I would pay him $5 to come to the free fitness center (in our building) at lunch with me one day. Nope.

Good for you.

[lalife]

Just enjoy your walk and forget about them. I live in MN and take walks in the -20 weather. Why? It is great exercise and I love being outside on a sunny day.

You are in Pasadena!!.. Take a walk. It is beautiful there!

[vegaspilgrim]

Idiots! I think that's awesome you're able to walk to (?) and from work. Don't listen to what they have to say! And ZenMaster, I know of a place that can get you some incredible financing on a new.... j/k, j/k.

[missionhome]

Forget those lazy bums at the office. Southern Californians are really LAZY when it comes to walking. People are so bad here that they will drive to the 7 Eleven less than 450 FEET away on a FLAT street. I have even watch a neighbor get in the car everyday to drive to our street's mailbox which is only three houses up the street from his and then return home with his mail!! It totally confuses me.

You are basically getting your daily workout on your way home and enjoy the great outdoors, part of what living in California is all about! That is great and I think you should ignore the real idiots in this situation, your co-workers, and keep doing your walks home.

Cities where people walk around daily for their commute are some of the most healthy cities in the country. Californians need to let go of their attitude that they need the car to go EVERYWHERE, even that 7-Eleven 450 feet from your front porch.

[ZenMaster2008]

And just to correct, my walk is to and from work, not just home.
And yes, I agree, I am going to ignore them but it just is not fun knowing people are pitying ME for wanting to be healthy. It probably doesn't help either that I'm very thin and in good shape already.

Thanks for all the support

[AnInterestingGerman]

In most parts in Europe it´s common to walk or to ride by bike without being poor - Though 2, 5 km is a pretty long way, nobody would call you an idiot - maybe in some rural regions

In schooltimes I used to go by bike or by walk 4 or 5 km a hilly way to my friends in the next town and my father uses in this abandoed rural region his bike very often until now - but he´s an exception. Sometimes people stopped to take us by care. Sometimes I agreed, sometimes i prefered to continue to walk. Some people wonder about that, but they don´t lough or consider us "poor"

And of course there´re people who walk to work for health reasons

But if we drove with cheap stolen oil (middle east), we maybe also never would prefer sometimes a walk ...

We are only the second thiefs - so the oil price is much higher than in the US

Lets hope that the rising oil crisis will change the walk lazyness in the US too

[greggd]

Keep walking. I think your setting a good example. Someone will remember and follow your idea when their opportunity comes.

[Huckleberry3911948]

hard to mug you in a locked ford escort.

[Tiger Beer]

Originally Posted by AnInterestingGerman

In most parts in Europe it´s common to walk or to ride by bike without being poor

Having lived in Europe for a year, South America for a year, and Asia for 7-8 years...the main reason these places are easy to walk is because they are setup for it. You walk out your door, and have a million choices available to you. There is really no point in getting in a car, as things aren't zoned to death with residential, business, etc.

In most of the U.S. and often times even large cities, you would be walking a long time just to rent a movie or get a coca-cola. Plus you have to stroll by large empty lots or just nothingness all along the way...few people around, etc. It's eerie to walk around in the U.S., and even more eerie at night...in most of it anyways.

I'm American and absolutely hate the setup of the majority of American cities...but it isn't due to laziness or other traits...it's just that U.S. cities are zoned to death and just plain ugly and very pedestrian UNfriendly.