Should she give up her car?
By adamg - Sun, 08/31/2008 - 9:06am.
Mags ponders giving up all the expenses and just going with a CharlieCard and a Zipcar membership:
... Living in Boston has gotten me thinking a little more environmentally and of course living without a car is a step in the right direction. I can because I live in the city, so I'm thinking why not? ...
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Go for it
Back when I lived in the North End years ago, I dumped my car. I've been carless in brighton now for 3 years with Zipcar and a subway pass and its been great. My company gets a corporate discount on Zipcar and pays for half of my T pass. It was a no-brainer.
100% -- as long as you live
100% -- as long as you live in the city. You'll lose your worry about freedom in about 2 car payments. I sold one car and dumped the lease on the other and LOVE IT.
Seriously. Between Zip, the 'trak, Purple lines and the occasional taxi...you'll be very happy (you can't have kids, or live outside 495, to do it --- IMO, but hey...it works perfect inside).
You'll also figure out real quick how close everything is in this city.
I'm still scared about biking in this friggin non-bike friendly city, but walking works FINE.
Thank you!
Thank you SO much for linking to my post-and for everyone coming over to comment! Being so new to Boston I didn't have many people to ask-and hearing that several of you have lived without a car for years really puts me closer to a decision.
I think at this point, the only reason I wouldn't give up the car is if I get nothing from the dealer and my payment is still as high as it is now.
Thanks again!!!
Bike?
Bike!
Admittedly it's not a great time of the year to take up biking as the weather is about to turn, but on the other hand now is when all of next years models are coming out so you can probably get a deal on a 2008 model at the moment.
Biking is really not that bad here. I got my first bike about 4 months ago, and i've racked up 998 miles (i've been counting) since. No dramas to mention thus far.
I recommend a bike, too
I gave up my car in 1999, or perhaps I should say the car gave up on me after 18 years of faithful service. I did not replace it, but I would feel pretty lost and immobile without a bicycle. This is actually a fine time to start riding, as the summer heat is mostly over but you still have another two months of pleasant riding weather.
I have never owned a car living in this area
and I've been here over 10 years. Easily doable and much cheaper. I say try it out, at least.
i did it
the year I lived in Brookline I never owned a car. I never had a problem using Zip Car, even when I had an emergency need of a car when the paperwork I had just driven to pick up turned out to be missing some information after I got home, there was an available vehicle right around the corner.
I usually did about $100 worth of driving a month, and that's because I used the car to visit my parents. But $100 is ALL I spent on a car per month, no gas, no insurance, no repair, no parking fee.
It was wonderful not having to own a car, yet being able to use one whenever I wanted.
I even did the bad thing of locking up the car after finishing it, and walking home with the gas card in my pocket. The zip car people were more than friendly about working with me to get it back into the car in good time, but also respectful of my schedule (wasn't I the one who was the bonehead and left the thing in my pocket?!?)