We went car free before we left the States and it was the absolute best! We were much happier all around and learned how to navigate in new creative ways. Then two years ago we moved to a small prefecture in Japan and had to buy a car. As much as we love it here, we are much less happy being in a car every day. We look forward to living in a city again soon and getting rid of this thing.
At least Japan has some of the best public transit in the world so depending on where you are, you have other options. Places like Seattle are very rare in the US
When I was single, I didn't own a car. Now with a wife and two kids, we do own a car, but we bought it used, it's paid off, it's reliable and we drive it 6k miles a year. Half of that is made up of a couple of road trips each year. We use public transit to get to work, the kids walk to school, and we bike to other activities or for fun.
Hey! Another random Seattle area dweller here. Never had a car, and cannot imagine myself ever wanting one. Earlier this year, I moved to an apartment just next to the southern trailhead of the Centennial. Sure, the rent is absurd, but life overall is definitely still cheaper than it would be if I had to drive to work. I bicycle pretty much everywhere, which is super easy to repair if something goes wrong, plus I technically get like a thousand miles per gallon. I love it. 😸 100% agree with every point you have made here, and it feels amazing to know I am not alone. Thank you!
Also you don’t have to worry if someone breaks into your car or seeing your car insurance rise almost every year or the expensive huge repairs of a car
@@enjoyslearningandtravel7957 If you're in Seattle you should be worried that a homeless person runs into you and causes enough dmg to land you in the hospital. Can't sue them for compensation, lol. So at least w/ins if something happens you are covered...when you're on a bike...you're an easy target, lol. On a bike you have to get a change of cloths after your ride cuz of all the sweat...unless your work has a shower. That means coming in 1hr to 30 mins earlier JUST to get ready. That's your traffic time right there. There's the elements...riding in the constant rain? Or god forbid it snows? We had a guy bike in to work...we eventually told him to stop cuz he didn't shower after his ride...we had no facilities for that. I feel like this is overly unrealistic and glorified just like "van life"...
@@midnull6009 My parents live 300 miles away. I have no problems visiting them every now and then, by bus or train. Perhaps it's more of a case-by-case thing.. I guess I will just need to find a family that is just as into biking as me, or grew up under similar circumstances (in another country). 😹
@@midnull6009 I don’t live in Seattle. ???? And riding a bicycle to get around is not glorified though because there’s many people in countries that make it workthat have facilities for people who bicycle or take public transport. It should not have to be for just car drivers only not everybody can drive. many people get unhealthy and unfit because they drive everywhere. It’s too bad you couldn’t make accommodation for the bicyclist that cycle to work and didn’t have a shower because I bet there’s accommodations for drivers such as parking spaces etc. And not all bicyclist sweat that much if it’s not so hot weather
I'm 52, I've never driven. Two things made me the way I am. Being a child waiting in line with my mom for what seemed like hours to get stickers every year and crossing the country several times with my father by car. I find riding in them to be incredibly stifling and suffocating, don't like them at all. Add to that no one could ever convince me that owning a car was worth even a fraction of what it costs. I'm retiring when I'm 55 and a big part of that is never having driven because I sure didn't make a lot of money in my life. 😂
Even if you do not have good public transportation, I would encourage people to try it for at least a week to a month. They may find it easier than they think. Study your local bus schedule or public transportation system. Is the grocery store closer to your home, work, or gym(Although you may want to cancel your membership, and save more money, because you get to walk or cycle daily, but it can be good for social reasons). Have a plan B if you miss the bus. Is there another bus you can catch, even on another bus route, cycle to work, catch a ride with a neighbor to work or to public transit? I have even been able to cycle to meet up with the bus I transfer to, and put my bike on the bus rack.I discovered that there is a bus that goes in the opposite direction to my work, but connects with another bus that gets me to work faster than waiting for the next bus at my usual stop. Also I keep a grab and go lunch, and a couple of snacks on hand to grab in case I wake up late, so I can still make the bus. Commute time is a nice time to catch up on books I want to read, and relax, or get some work done. One other benefit is that you will build community with neighbors, regulars on the bus, and friends or co-workers who offer rides, especially in really bad weather--Coffee gift cards go along way in thanking them.)Pay attention to the weather, dress in layers, sometimes you have to be flexible and plan your shopping around the weather. I use a wheeled cart for groceries that I take on the bus. People in Paris do it all the time. It also saves money on things we do not really need. You will be more mindful about spending money when you do not have the convenience of a car to transport your stuff. Public transportation will not improve unless there is a demand for it!
I've been thinking about selling my car when I moved to Seattle, but I was leaning towards keeping it. Then I visited my apartment and they said parking was going to be $325 a month & I live across the street from work. So I realized I'm going to have to sell my car LOL
Your comment actually made me chuckle - But no kidding, apartment complexes in Seattle suck you dry when it comes to parking…and it blows my mind that there are people who pay for it. Even though your complex charges $325 for parking, there’s probably a waitlist for it already lol
Cars are not the problem. The problem is car dependency. Most US cities are built to where we need cars just to get around, and that’s intentional. And now we’re suffering the consequences with heavy traffic.
I’m 24 yo. I get hella insecure that i still cant drive. My relatives doesn’t have time to teach me due to their work. I grew up in a household where no one drives. Im too damn shy to ask anybody to teach me. I took a driving school and drive test and failed. But i never looked forward having a car due to bills and stuff like that. Thank you very much for sharing!! This really made me feel not alone.
amen 🙌, it’s way more common to meet people without driver’s licenses in bigger cities with good transit. who needs to know how to drive when there are other means of getting places.
I’ve been living car-free in Munich for nearly 30 years (which is quite common here) and I wouldn’t have it any other way. What’s nice is that the city provides services for people without cars - e.g.: You can pay for a truck that comes to your door and picks up bulky waste. Helpful commercial offerings include rentable cargo bikes and Ikea delivering their products to homes.
The way you described the college town is nothing like either of them that I lived in. Both of them have terrible sidewalks, zero bike lanes, and no public transportation except for around campus to a few apartments during school days. The campuses weren't near downtown either.
I’ve never owned a car ever. I never learned how to drive. I’m 44. Somehow I’ve been able to survive. And I’ve lived in very car oriented cities like Seattle, Atlanta, DC, etc. Im fortunate to work from home full time and have done so since 2016. And I really enjoy my lifestyle. I know so many people who are at the whims of their car. And it’s just refreshing to never really have to worry about it
it takes me a 12 mile trail ride to get to downtown where i live, but i now have huge thighs, toned calves, and a nice ass and i don't have to regularly work out. that's a huge bonus.
Yeah cars are a tax that we pay to multinational corporations. Lived in Seattle for 15 years without a car. Had one for about three years, now I basically don't anymore again and I'm happier for it.
I have found that Google Maps usually works pretty well for finding routes like that, and it will tell me if a bus is running late. I also live in an area that uses a tap & ride system, which simplifies things even more. Check to see if your city has one! 🐈
My guy…just sold my car last week. Living that carefree life now. Life has been A1 ever since. Getting tan every day riding that bicycle. No ragrets; not even one letter. If you’re ever in SoCal, let me know! There’s plenty of space out here in Anaheim to be bums with no automobiles.
Serious props to living in Anaheim car-free... I mean, I lived there in the late 80s/early 90s with a car that mostly didn't work, so I guess I lived that life... hah! I biked and rode the bus or bummed rides off friends. Living car-free in Seattle now in my mid-50s.
There are others like you but we're spread out and the built environment in most of the US will take a few generations to become pedestrian/public transit friendly again if it ever does. College towns and overseas are the best options.
I looooove your videos. They are so authentic and you talk about all the right points in such a concise manner. Love everything about it. Keep making more. I am planning to move to Seattle and your Seattle series is a blessing
I feel like there are a ton of car-free Seattle folks here in the comments and we should start a club! Been here 5.5 years without a car and I only ever want to live in cities where I won't need one... I'm in no rush to go back to owning one.
I think the UAW strike taking place now is the best thing to happen to the environment this year and I hope Shawn keeps the strike going. The shut down truck plants are putting out much less pollution if no product is being made. Big ridiculous size trucks are not being manufactured so they can't pollute. If people can't get parts, then the trucks can't run and pollute. Meanwhile, some people might decide to bike, walk, public transportation, or work from home and not need a car so much. I always say, if you don't like what the CEOs make, Don't Buy The Truck! I also notice that strikers walking the picket lines are losing weight.
Love this! Family of 5 here in NYC, car free. Yes we have 3 kids. No we have no car. We travel a ton and bike our kids everywhere easily. Yes we can grocery shop! And yes we can do things in a fraction of the time than by Uber, driving ourselves (that's insane in NYC), and bus or subway. We have an Urban Arrow dutch cargo bike and it's amazing. If people considered ebikes more like car replacement vehicles most people can either go car free or downgrade from a 2 car family to a 1 car + bikes family. Most trips for most people are < 6 miles easily and by bike there are usually much more interesting routes than by car. Looks like you could do another video on how things have been going since you posted this video?
To be fair, being able to live in NYC is just a cheat code to carfree living. It is the only American city that even foreigners know of where you can do this. I visited LA and was extremely disappointed how car dependent it is to the point that it ruined my vacation.
I'm from germany and got rid of my car about 10 years ago. It was a not only for economic or ecologic reasons. I just didn't need my car most of the time. Even in suburbs we have good public transportation and we live in mixed zones were the grocery stores are in walkable distance. We usually have sidewalks and biking lanes. When I really need a car once or twice a year I use our local car sharing. I never understood why people drive to the fitness center, do their workout on a training bike and take their car back home. For my workout I take my bike and ride through our wonderfull nature. And the best: I don't have to spend a lot of money for the fitness center.
Gave up my car years ago. One of the best things I ever did. No worries about insurance or other drivers anymore. And in the US driving is a death sport anymore. There isn't a day where I walk to the store and cross a major road. Invariably, someone ALWAYS breezes through the red light looking at their phone. In my estimation, it should be a felony at this point.
I have tried to learn to drive a car when I was a teenager... accidentally crashed into a tree....then I tried again sometime later in my brother's car he had at the time...also an epic failure...then more than 8 years ago by some stroke of luck when I was staying with a relative I used her truck to pass the driving test. Long story short... still to this day I STILL have no car...I've always had bicycles. That been my main mode of transportation.
Very nicely done Rin. I wish I had such awareness and clarity when I was your age. It’s folks like you who give me hope for a sustainable world someday.
I live in the UK and used my car everyday, to travel to work. I used it for very little else. It was costing me £2000 per year to run and maintain. I since bought a bicycle and have found it takes me less time to commute to work than it did in the car! This is down to avoiding traffic congestion and rush hours.
Never drive. I live in LA. Like most non car drivers, we wish we had cars. I studied computer science lare 80s to early 90s. The school was 10 miles away. We didn't live in rural areas. We lived in heavy population area. Every thing was there except good bus system. I had to cross 3 rail roads to get to bus stops. Buses were rarely on time. Picking class was challenging. I hate night class because no bus. Some time, i squeeze classes to 2 days a week. One final, i showed up at bus stop 90 minutes before. It was 30 minute ride. I figured if bus wre late, i would still be an hour early . The bus did not show up 100 minutes later. I was late for 40 minutes. It was hard to look for jobs. I ended up working in school restaurant. Tried to find internship, it would have been 3 hour one ride for most opportunities. Couple of classmates took buses. One promised himself he would buy a car the moment he found a job. It was hard to find a job without experience as recent college graduate. Most jobs require 3 hour bus one ride. In Orange county, 3 hours was easy ride. Some could take 4 to 5 hours. My goal was to find the jobs in downtown. If not find the jobs that near cheaper apartments. Hiring managers dont like people taking bus even companies in downtown LA with easy bus. One job, the person had to remind me to write thank you letter three times. He showed me around n told me the placewas wonderful. Then he wanted to validate my parking. I don't have. His face turned blue n immediately said company had diversify workers. I got rejection letter 2 weeks later. So many jobs opportunities were lost because managers found out i took bus. Sometimes, i had to walk 5 blocks to avoid detection from company staff. I had lived in different places whenever I changed job. I hate , but i hated it. I found a job near my home. I worked there for 13 years until it went down. Then uber came. I started taking uber. Right now, i am working remotely. I finally saved money. Ok 13 years working at a place 3 miles from my house did save me a lot money. I hate people say not owning cars save a lot money . We either loe opportunities or pay a lot extra cost. I really don't have life. There grocery stores one miles n 3 miles away. I uave small shopping cart. Good things, they are opening more shops, there weren't 15 years ago. There were lots shops within 5 miles. some require 2 buses, but most require 1 bus n 20 plus minute walking. Then there's online shopping. Until 20 years ago, i didn't see MD. It was veru difficult to find HMO Dr within easy commute distance . The job that was 3 miles from my house was nice. The clinic was cross street. However, speclists were 15 miles away in Orange county. With worst traffic, it would have been 1 hour drive. Without, it would be 20. For public transportation,it was three and half. I chose to walk 4 miles from train stations to hospital or it would have been longer. I hate to go. For interview, work, grocery, shop, i did it. Sometimes, i did not know if i would get losr. Walking n taking bus in the rainy day is not funny n dangerous. Hiring managers knew i was taking buses looking at my wet clothes, shoes, pants. Oh, some idiots say taking public transportation is good in rainy day. I am stilll single at age 50 plus. No women would want to go out non car drivers. Many people pick me up. I have enough struggle on daily life. If no one pick me up, xbox, Hbo max, youtube are my friends. I traveled at least once a year. No, i am not taking bus to amtra, airport. No more stress on my vacation. Before uber, i took blue shuttle. About Seattle, i did a lot research. The downtown area maybe better than LA. The rest is as bad as LA. My ex coworker used to live n work in Seattle. He took bus to work. He told me public transportation in Seattle is terrible. Oh, most IT, software jobs are in suburbs. Getting to work in Seattle would just be like. LA
After graduate school, I plan to move to Washington, D.C. Or N.Y.C. I have zero desire to have a car in the future. My mom gave me her car while it's still in her name. It makes insurance much cheaper.
I live in Bremerton and am currently car free after my last car (which I was planning on ditching in favor of my bike for most of my trips anyway) went to sh*t. I just get around by bike and I’m considering remaining car free, even if this city is a car centric hellscape.
I’m not happy where I am living in suburbia. I need to find someplace where I can go car free but I don’t want to live in a big city like New York City or Seattle. I’m doing more research to find that medium size city where I can go bicycling and walking instead of drive the car everywhere I need to go. And I didn’t even know what a Costco five dollar chicken was until someone took me in their car and showed me before I bought a car when I returned to the United States. Actually I can do without the five dollar chicken because there’s so many other things I like to eat but each to their own.
When I was car free when I lived overseas and worked there I didn’t have to join a gym because I walked or bicycled everywhere when I did not take a train or street car. However, when I return to United States I gained 10 pounds and had to drive just to the grocery to buy us something small or drive to the gym that cost a lot to join. Actually I didn’t join it and I’m walking around my ugly suburban neighborhood and you can not actually walk safely to the grocery to buy something small because there’s no way to walk there safely even though it’s only us so far
I am happier without a car. Due to my mental health, I got a bus pass that allows me to use any public bus in Scotland free and any train for distances up to 10 miles for £1 i way and £1.50 return or half price for longer journeys. I also have y e-bike and most of the roads aren't too busy. I have a shop, a Chinese retaurant, a fish and chip shop and a bar/diner right across the street and I am a 20 minute walk/5 minute bike ride from the town centre, I could go to the top of my street for dance lessons, a tattoo, an Indian meal and a weeks shopping at Aldi if I really want. I can cycle to my girlfriends house in under 10 minutes, which is about how long it'd take to drive given the shortcuts I can take on a bike and cycling is just more enjoyable- I'd need 2 buses and an hour for that ourney, so public transport kinda sucks due to the lack of orbital routes forcing a detour to a hub, but hey it is free and there are many journeys for which it still makes sense! I'd argue that if we invested as much in public transit and made it free at point of use (like we do for car infrastructure) That almost nobody would have a car, just because of the savings! This would open up everything for poorer people! I was more excited to get free transport than I was to buy my first car! Now I just have absolutely no desire to own one. If I want to take a peasure trip or need to move, I will hire the car or van I need! With all of the money I'm not spending owning a single car, I can easily access the vehicle I need or want for a day or two, even if I wanted to hire a sports car to drive out to the coast! Owning a car is for chumps here!
If infrastructure is done right, there should be very little niche for EVs, if you live in the middle of nowhere, an EV just doesn't make sense, if you live in a populated place, public transit should exist. For those who live in very rural areas, I don't mind you having a car, a park and ride will be placed in a central location for you to connect to the transit network, since those people make up such a smal proportion of the population, I can overlook them having a petrol car as it is just more practical in that application.
Living in one of the biggest cities in America... Where there is some sidewalks, bike lanes, and public transportation. Not the best, but better than nothing. Try living in a small suburb in the middle of nowhere, more than an hour away from any other suburban city.
For the case of living in the middle of nowhere (or anywhere with no reliable public transit), a car would definitely be necessary to get around. I wish that wouldn’t be the case, but that’s what the infrastructure determined. :(
I prefer petrol and diesel cars they are more efficient for me personally. Taking away or banning disel and petrol is a violation of our freedom and right to own personal property like cars ect. Public transport doesnt get you everywhere neither does walking or biking. Public transport is not efficient. Owning a car is better than and more efficcient than public transport. You dont have to rely on public transport and this creates a sense of freedom and independence you commute anywhere you need to. Privacy and saftey are detrimental to me just as much as independence.
We're thinking of moving to either Seattle or DC in order to be in a larger metro where a car free lifestyle is more common. We share a car now, rarely use it, but our transit system in Charlotte NC isn't great. Plus, we know virtually zero people who share our interest in car freedom. Do you think it's a lot more normal in Seattle to live without a car and to think first of other ways to go places? I fear Seattle is also a little car-centric and we might still feel somewhat alone in that sense, which is one reason we are also considering DC. Interested to hear your thoughts.
I’ve been a tourist to many places since I used to work for the airlines but of course that’s different than living in most places but I found Chicago and Boston besides New York City to have many people who do without a car. I used to like riding a bicycle everywhere in Portland Oregon the short time I was there but since I was there quite a while ago I heard that there’s many homeless camping out and it might be hard to ride the bicycle trails safely but I’m not been there for quite a while so maybe it’s changed since I’ve seen the videos about the homeless. not against homeless people just afraid of running into people that are using illegal drugs and might be dangerous.
I live right in the city of Seattle and have no car... been here 5.5 years (I'm in my 50s)... I find it easy to get around. I work from home, though, so no commute. Feel free to reach out if you want to ask any questions.
Great question! I usually do one of three options: 1. Carry them in the large basket installed on my bike. 2. Carry them using one of those foldable grocery shopping carts. I usually use a cart for larger grocery trips, or costco. 3. Carry them in reusable grocery bags. I recommend getting bigger grocery totes with shoulder handles for more space and comfort. Luckily, it’s not uncommon to see people carrying groceries on public transit in the city :)
I did buy a hybrid car and I’m enjoying it but I still rather would find a car free life I’m still looking for the city that would suit me. Tested be big enough to have some kind of museum and other culture activities it’s small enough I don’t feel lost in like New York City
I don’t know why but it’s not letting me edit my comments. I meant to say that the city I find should be big enough to have some kind of cultural activities but small enough that I can still don’t feel like I’m lost in big city life.
@@rinahra thanks for taking time to answer my question and musings. I would probably like Eugene Oregon except I heard that Oregon in general such as Portland I think Eugene also has a lot of crime problems and homeless and nothing can be done because of the laws so I would feel unsafe if there’s people roaming the sidewalks that took illegal drugs. Nothing against them in general but I heard they’re camping out and blocking the bike lanes in Portland and safety is my priority. I did rent a bicycle in Portland Oregon on summer read back before this happened and I felt very safe from all the bike lanes and had a real good time.
You gotta remember that not everyone wants to live in or near the city. Me and my wife have a house on 12 acres which is surrounded by acres of farm land. We got 5 miles of dirt roads till you hit pavement also it's a 50mile round trip to work so public transportation is out of the question. Also in the winter you better have a good 4x4 if you plan on going anywhere. So yes there is a price to pay if you want to live out in the middle of nowhere but when we come home to our beautiful property and the fact that we are pretty much independent is well worth it. Also I work as a diesel mechanic so repairing our own vehicles is a walk in the park.
It took me until a pandemic to realize how much it sucked to be surrounded by cars and depend on it for my sole means of transport 🙃. The US is way too overbuilt for cars but for a lot of people, it's all they know. Not a big fan of EVs as the solution we seem to have settled on. They're way dirtier during production as you mentioned and buying one would just put me in debt I don't want. It'd be great if it were EVs + more walkable neighborhoods (at least in more sub/urban areas. I know rural areas won't have the option but it would go further where more people live anyway). But that would take such a generational change that I don't think we're ready for yet. But maybe someday ~~~ Do you feel isolated in Seattle sometimes as a car-free resident? Some places are better than others. I used to go to school in Houston and even though the campus was walkable, the moment you step outside its boundaries, you're screwed without a car so sometimes it felt like an island without proper connections.
Right?? I’m super conflicted with EVs being the solution, but with good ol American exceptionalism, we just love creating new solutions to problems that have already been solved, even when the new solution is subpar (ie: EVs instead of building better public transit infrastructure). EVs also don’t solve the poor land use problem, like why do massive surface parking lots still exist in major cities? Speaking from my own experience, I haven’t felt very isolated. I live in a neighborhood that’s increasingly getting denser, which has been attracting a lot of new and different businesses. I can access cafes, restaurants, grocery stores, the main train line, and even gyms all within
@@rinahra It feels like we think we can just invent our way out of everything, even if that means reinventing the wheel haha. I'll still be unhappy in traffic even if I'm in an EV or autonomous vehicle. It's such an extreme solution when all I need is the town to build cafes/restaurants/groceries within walking or biking distance. You don't need any new technology for that. That's great that you live in an area that's getting denser with more amenities. Then you only need to borrow a car the few times you need one. Some places aren't accessible except by car but I really doubt most people in Seattle are going to Mt Rainier every other day or so. The car sits idle so much of the time that it's like "Am I really paying $700 per month just to park a car 99% of the time?"
It does depend on your neighborhood- and like most US cities, Seattle has only a few really walkable neighborhoods. I moved from north Seattle (isolated) to closer to light rail (walkable).
@@rinahra I find that even places that need cars such as the outer suburbia they have way too much parking spaces such as in small Plaza‘s or other shopping centers or even groceries only use a fourth often.
I thought you were going to give some insight on how you make living without a car work?😂😂😂 so is the solution to get by with Uber or Lyft? I didn’t really here where you offer any solutions to the problem…..
I think flixbus does some trips to certain mountains for ~$50, roundtrip (still a bit steep imo). If there was a cheap/easy way to do spontaneous solo trips to literally any mountain, i’d be all over it 🥲 btw, love your videos!
Electric vehicles can be in the mix if autonomous driving picks up more steam. Imagine summoning an autonomous vehicle for pickup. This would obviate the need for car ownership for many people. Keep up the good work!! 👍👍
That would be good if it really works because then you would not need a garage if you had a house or apartment and you would not need a parking space nor would you need to keep up with car repairs or car insurance.
@@rinahra I have a car, but many people don't; I am in a normal suburb of London within 5 -10 mins walk of many of the shops, pubs and restaurants I will ever need (larger bulk shopping is mostly delivered; not sure who actually goes to supermarkets these days), as well as 5 mins from 6 bus stops and a tube station (20 minutes to work and to central London). I think this is normal for most urban and inner suburban parts of Europe.
How about the dating scene, navigating without a car? idk about seattle but its usually considered the guy has a car to go on dates (pick up or drop off or get them in your apartment :))
it’s pretty easy! Typically the hot spots for having dates are, coincidentally, the places where finding any kind of parking is a nightmare (think circling the neighborhood for 15-30minutes to find street parking). People are very open to meeting up at restaurants or bars for dates, and if you want to offer a ride home to your date, offer to call them an Uber or a Lyft! :)
When I was at uni, couples would ride their bikes together to dates. Also there are electric bikes like the Eskuta where you can take a pillon which is way more fun and intimate than being driven in a car. The idea of the guy driving the car ought to be so outdated now, since back then it was the man that would go out the house and go to work so would own a car, and the woman would stay at home. The only reason why Americans have this idea that a man is a failure if he does not own a car is because of America's terrible urban planning, that it's nearly impossible for most people to function without a car, and you would only not own a car if you had no job and money. Things are different now, especially with cars are becoming less and less sustainable with population growth and enviromental reasons.
Yeah I think the traditional date was the guy picks up the woman and drops her off. Today it’s more likely to meet each other in a café or pub restaurant.
On the flip side.... Do I want to date a woman who would refuse to date someone who chooses not to own a car? Imagine this: Say I want to be car free, but I instead buy some sports car just to get the girl... then what... date for 6 months and then say "just kidding, I have always wanted to be car free. I hope you still like me now that I got rid of my Lamborghini in favor of a Pedego." No, I think I would prefer to meet the girl when I do not have a car. No false expectations to deal with later.
This is not realistic, unless you never switch jobs. You don't go anywhere outside Seattle; hikes. Also, Seattle transit is horrid...ppl get assaulted on the daily. And waiting for the bus @ night? This is on the same vibe as "van life"...
Certain places especially those outside of Northern America are car free or car lite. I’m from Florida so I agree with you to an extent. In Florida, there are so many pedestrians fatalities but there are also a lot of car on car collisions. I lived in a little town in Tx and was able to be car lite. I had more fun and freedom then I ever had driving in Fl. I do also have concerns about safety on public transits , but I just like many activities you gotta pray and be smart. It is not that it is not realistic but maybe not possible with your reality. It is definitely not for everyone😅.
I lived it! And did all of the above! It was possible, enjoyable and cheap. There’s even public transit to get to hikes. Also never got harassed. I think the only caveat is living or getting somewhere too suburban which honestly I didn’t want to anyway. I can imagine feeling this way if you live in a suburb though. Also you’re forgetting uber exists
I have never had a problem on public transportation. Not once. You want to hear dangerous, 43,000 fatal car crashes a year in the US. I personally have lost many friends and family members over the years to auto accidents. It is astounding to think about. Now, I ride my bike a lot, and that is dangerous, but only because of the cars.
Ok, in the segment "Cars are unpleasant", you are driving home your point by equating cars to kids. Is there something else, you want to share with us? :D
We went car free before we left the States and it was the absolute best! We were much happier all around and learned how to navigate in new creative ways. Then two years ago we moved to a small prefecture in Japan and had to buy a car. As much as we love it here, we are much less happy being in a car every day. We look forward to living in a city again soon and getting rid of this thing.
You’re living my dream!!
At least Japan has some of the best public transit in the world so depending on where you are, you have other options. Places like Seattle are very rare in the US
When I was single, I didn't own a car. Now with a wife and two kids, we do own a car, but we bought it used, it's paid off, it's reliable and we drive it 6k miles a year. Half of that is made up of a couple of road trips each year. We use public transit to get to work, the kids walk to school, and we bike to other activities or for fun.
Hey! Another random Seattle area dweller here. Never had a car, and cannot imagine myself ever wanting one. Earlier this year, I moved to an apartment just next to the southern trailhead of the Centennial. Sure, the rent is absurd, but life overall is definitely still cheaper than it would be if I had to drive to work. I bicycle pretty much everywhere, which is super easy to repair if something goes wrong, plus I technically get like a thousand miles per gallon. I love it. 😸
100% agree with every point you have made here, and it feels amazing to know I am not alone. Thank you!
Also you don’t have to worry if someone breaks into your car or seeing your car insurance rise almost every year or the expensive huge repairs of a car
This is not sustainable. Only if you're a single bachelor w/out a family.
@@enjoyslearningandtravel7957 If you're in Seattle you should be worried that a homeless person runs into you and causes enough dmg to land you in the hospital. Can't sue them for compensation, lol. So at least w/ins if something happens you are covered...when you're on a bike...you're an easy target, lol.
On a bike you have to get a change of cloths after your ride cuz of all the sweat...unless your work has a shower.
That means coming in 1hr to 30 mins earlier JUST to get ready. That's your traffic time right there. There's the elements...riding in the constant rain? Or god forbid it snows?
We had a guy bike in to work...we eventually told him to stop cuz he didn't shower after his ride...we had no facilities for that.
I feel like this is overly unrealistic and glorified just like "van life"...
@@midnull6009 My parents live 300 miles away. I have no problems visiting them every now and then, by bus or train. Perhaps it's more of a case-by-case thing.. I guess I will just need to find a family that is just as into biking as me, or grew up under similar circumstances (in another country). 😹
@@midnull6009 I don’t live in Seattle. ???? And riding a bicycle to get around is not glorified though because there’s many people in countries that make it workthat have facilities for people who bicycle or take public transport. It should not have to be for just car drivers only not everybody can drive. many people get unhealthy and unfit because they drive everywhere.
It’s too bad you couldn’t make accommodation for the bicyclist that cycle to work and didn’t have a shower because I bet there’s accommodations for drivers such as parking spaces etc. And not all bicyclist sweat that much if it’s not so hot weather
I'm 52, I've never driven. Two things made me the way I am. Being a child waiting in line with my mom for what seemed like hours to get stickers every year and crossing the country several times with my father by car. I find riding in them to be incredibly stifling and suffocating, don't like them at all. Add to that no one could ever convince me that owning a car was worth even a fraction of what it costs. I'm retiring when I'm 55 and a big part of that is never having driven because I sure didn't make a lot of money in my life. 😂
Preach! There’s no reason to spend years sitting in a car, when you can spend those years enjoying retirement early!
Good to see an American realise what the best option actually is!
Even if you do not have good public transportation, I would encourage people to try it for at least a week to a month. They may find it easier than they think. Study your local bus schedule or public transportation system. Is the grocery store closer to your home, work, or gym(Although you may want to cancel your membership, and save more money, because you get to walk or cycle daily, but it can be good for social reasons). Have a plan B if you miss the bus. Is there another bus you can catch, even on another bus route, cycle to work, catch a ride with a neighbor to work or to public transit? I have even been able to cycle to meet up with the bus I transfer to, and put my bike on the bus rack.I discovered that there is a bus that goes in the opposite direction to my work, but connects with another bus that gets me to work faster than waiting for the next bus at my usual stop. Also I keep a grab and go lunch, and a couple of snacks on hand to grab in case I wake up late, so I can still make the bus. Commute time is a nice time to catch up on books I want to read, and relax, or get some work done. One other benefit is that you will build community with neighbors, regulars on the bus, and friends or co-workers who offer rides, especially in really bad weather--Coffee gift cards go along way in thanking them.)Pay attention to the weather, dress in layers, sometimes you have to be flexible and plan your shopping around the weather. I use a wheeled cart for groceries that I take on the bus. People in Paris do it all the time. It also saves money on things we do not really need. You will be more mindful about spending money when you do not have the convenience of a car to transport your stuff. Public transportation will not improve unless there is a demand for it!
I've been thinking about selling my car when I moved to Seattle, but I was leaning towards keeping it. Then I visited my apartment and they said parking was going to be $325 a month & I live across the street from work. So I realized I'm going to have to sell my car LOL
Your comment actually made me chuckle -
But no kidding, apartment complexes in Seattle suck you dry when it comes to parking…and it blows my mind that there are people who pay for it. Even though your complex charges $325 for parking, there’s probably a waitlist for it already lol
@@rinahra I asked "how much is parking?"
"$325"
"a year?"
"a month"
I was like oh my LAWDD.
@@craigbeach9540on top of the insurance thanks to all the car breakins/thefts, and the $5/gallon gas.
Cars are actually cool. Traffic is unpleasant though.
Cars are not the problem. The problem is car dependency. Most US cities are built to where we need cars just to get around, and that’s intentional. And now we’re suffering the consequences with heavy traffic.
I’m 24 yo. I get hella insecure that i still cant drive. My relatives doesn’t have time to teach me due to their work. I grew up in a household where no one drives. Im too damn shy to ask anybody to teach me. I took a driving school and drive test and failed. But i never looked forward having a car due to bills and stuff like that. Thank you very much for sharing!! This really made me feel not alone.
amen 🙌, it’s way more common to meet people without driver’s licenses in bigger cities with good transit. who needs to know how to drive when there are other means of getting places.
I’ve been living car-free in Munich for nearly 30 years (which is quite common here) and I wouldn’t have it any other way. What’s nice is that the city provides services for people without cars - e.g.: You can pay for a truck that comes to your door and picks up bulky waste. Helpful commercial offerings include rentable cargo bikes and Ikea delivering their products to homes.
As someone who hasn't learned to drive yet and is starting to do some work in the transportation sector, found this relatable and informative
for hiking, you can replace those car trips too for part of the year thanks to King County Metro's Trailhead Direct service
The way you described the college town is nothing like either of them that I lived in. Both of them have terrible sidewalks, zero bike lanes, and no public transportation except for around campus to a few apartments during school days. The campuses weren't near downtown either.
I’ve never owned a car ever. I never learned how to drive. I’m 44. Somehow I’ve been able to survive. And I’ve lived in very car oriented cities like Seattle, Atlanta, DC, etc. Im fortunate to work from home full time and have done so since 2016. And I really enjoy my lifestyle. I know so many people who are at the whims of their car. And it’s just refreshing to never really have to worry about it
it takes me a 12 mile trail ride to get to downtown where i live, but i now have huge thighs, toned calves, and a nice ass and i don't have to regularly work out. that's a huge bonus.
hahahaha thanks for the visuals
Yeah cars are a tax that we pay to multinational corporations. Lived in Seattle for 15 years without a car. Had one for about three years, now I basically don't anymore again and I'm happier for it.
I've been living without a car after I moved to Chicago last May... I am going to keep living car free
I'm seriously considering going this route.. just figuring out the bus routes/bike paths/light rails isn't exactly straight forward!!
I have found that Google Maps usually works pretty well for finding routes like that, and it will tell me if a bus is running late. I also live in an area that uses a tap & ride system, which simplifies things even more. Check to see if your city has one! 🐈
A good talk. I lived in Portland. Which served me well for alternative transportation. For a couple of decades. It's possible and fun
Trimet is lovely, my only wish is that they have more service at night!
My guy…just sold my car last week. Living that carefree life now. Life has been A1 ever since. Getting tan every day riding that bicycle. No ragrets; not even one letter. If you’re ever in SoCal, let me know! There’s plenty of space out here in Anaheim to be bums with no automobiles.
Serious props to living in Anaheim car-free... I mean, I lived there in the late 80s/early 90s with a car that mostly didn't work, so I guess I lived that life... hah! I biked and rode the bus or bummed rides off friends. Living car-free in Seattle now in my mid-50s.
There are others like you but we're spread out and the built environment in most of the US will take a few generations to become pedestrian/public transit friendly again if it ever does. College towns and overseas are the best options.
I looooove your videos. They are so authentic and you talk about all the right points in such a concise manner. Love everything about it. Keep making more. I am planning to move to Seattle and your Seattle series is a blessing
Thank you so much for your kind words!! 😊
I feel like there are a ton of car-free Seattle folks here in the comments and we should start a club! Been here 5.5 years without a car and I only ever want to live in cities where I won't need one... I'm in no rush to go back to owning one.
I think the UAW strike taking place now is the best thing to happen to the environment this year and I hope Shawn keeps the strike going. The shut down truck plants are putting out much less pollution if no product is being made. Big ridiculous size trucks are not being manufactured so they can't pollute. If people can't get parts, then the trucks can't run and pollute. Meanwhile, some people might decide to bike, walk, public transportation, or work from home and not need a car so much. I always say, if you don't like what the CEOs make, Don't Buy The Truck! I also notice that strikers walking the picket lines are losing weight.
Love this! Family of 5 here in NYC, car free. Yes we have 3 kids. No we have no car. We travel a ton and bike our kids everywhere easily. Yes we can grocery shop! And yes we can do things in a fraction of the time than by Uber, driving ourselves (that's insane in NYC), and bus or subway. We have an Urban Arrow dutch cargo bike and it's amazing. If people considered ebikes more like car replacement vehicles most people can either go car free or downgrade from a 2 car family to a 1 car + bikes family. Most trips for most people are < 6 miles easily and by bike there are usually much more interesting routes than by car.
Looks like you could do another video on how things have been going since you posted this video?
To be fair, being able to live in NYC is just a cheat code to carfree living. It is the only American city that even foreigners know of where you can do this. I visited LA and was extremely disappointed how car dependent it is to the point that it ruined my vacation.
I'm from germany and got rid of my car about 10 years ago. It was a not only for economic or ecologic reasons. I just didn't need my car most of the time. Even in suburbs we have good public transportation and we live in mixed zones were the grocery stores are in walkable distance. We usually have sidewalks and biking lanes.
When I really need a car once or twice a year I use our local car sharing.
I never understood why people drive to the fitness center, do their workout on a training bike and take their car back home. For my workout I take my bike and ride through our wonderfull nature. And the best: I don't have to spend a lot of money for the fitness center.
Gave up my car years ago. One of the best things I ever did. No worries about insurance or other drivers anymore. And in the US driving is a death sport anymore. There isn't a day where I walk to the store and cross a major road. Invariably, someone ALWAYS breezes through the red light looking at their phone. In my estimation, it should be a felony at this point.
I have tried to learn to drive a car when I was a teenager... accidentally crashed into a tree....then I tried again sometime later in my brother's car he had at the time...also an epic failure...then more than 8 years ago by some stroke of luck when I was staying with a relative I used her truck to pass the driving test. Long story short... still to this day I STILL have no car...I've always had bicycles. That been my main mode of transportation.
Very nicely done Rin. I wish I had such awareness and clarity when I was your age. It’s folks like you who give me hope for a sustainable world someday.
Thanks! I really appreciate the kind words! :)
thank you so much for this video!!! you did all the internal debate for me 😭 I am moving to SA and will be getting rid of this car
yay!! I’m so glad to hear about that! trust me, you won’t be missing your car!
I live in the UK and used my car everyday, to travel to work. I used it for very little else. It was costing me £2000 per year to run and maintain. I since bought a bicycle and have found it takes me less time to commute to work than it did in the car! This is down to avoiding traffic congestion and rush hours.
Seattle is definitely possible to be car free. Did it for 8-9 years. I think somewhere east of Redmond is where it becomes almost impossible though
Never drive. I live in LA. Like most non car drivers, we wish we had cars.
I studied computer science lare 80s to early 90s. The school was 10 miles away. We didn't live in rural areas. We lived in heavy population area. Every thing was there except good bus system. I had to cross 3 rail roads to get to bus stops. Buses were rarely on time. Picking class was challenging. I hate night class because no bus. Some time, i squeeze classes to 2 days a week. One final, i showed up at bus stop 90 minutes before. It was 30 minute ride. I figured if bus wre late, i would still be an hour early . The bus did not show up 100 minutes later. I was late for 40 minutes.
It was hard to look for jobs. I ended up working in school restaurant. Tried to find internship, it would have been 3 hour one ride for most opportunities. Couple of classmates took buses. One promised himself he would buy a car the moment he found a job.
It was hard to find a job without experience as recent college graduate. Most jobs require 3 hour bus one ride. In Orange county, 3 hours was easy ride. Some could take 4 to 5 hours.
My goal was to find the jobs in downtown. If not find the jobs that near cheaper apartments.
Hiring managers dont like people taking bus even companies in downtown LA with easy bus.
One job, the person had to remind me to write thank you letter three times. He showed me around n told me the placewas wonderful. Then he wanted to validate my parking. I don't have. His face turned blue n immediately said company had diversify workers. I got rejection letter 2 weeks later.
So many jobs opportunities were lost because managers found out i took bus.
Sometimes, i had to walk 5 blocks to avoid detection from company staff.
I had lived in different places whenever I changed job. I hate , but i hated it. I found a job near my home. I worked there for 13 years until it went down.
Then uber came. I started taking uber. Right now, i am working remotely. I finally saved money. Ok 13 years working at a place 3 miles from my house did save me a lot money. I hate people say not owning cars save a lot money . We either loe opportunities or pay a lot extra cost.
I really don't have life. There grocery stores one miles n 3 miles away. I uave small shopping cart. Good things, they are opening more shops, there weren't 15 years ago.
There were lots shops within 5 miles. some require 2 buses, but most require 1 bus n 20 plus minute walking.
Then there's online shopping.
Until 20 years ago, i didn't see MD. It was veru difficult to find HMO Dr within easy commute distance . The job that was 3 miles from my house was nice. The clinic was cross street. However, speclists were 15 miles away in Orange county. With worst traffic, it would have been 1 hour drive. Without, it would be 20. For public transportation,it was three and half. I chose to walk 4 miles from train stations to hospital or it would have been longer.
I hate to go. For interview, work, grocery, shop, i did it. Sometimes, i did not know if i would get losr.
Walking n taking bus in the rainy day is not funny n dangerous. Hiring managers knew i was taking buses looking at my wet clothes, shoes, pants.
Oh, some idiots say taking public transportation is good in rainy day.
I am stilll single at age 50 plus. No women would want to go out non car drivers.
Many people pick me up. I have enough struggle on daily life. If no one pick me up, xbox, Hbo max, youtube are my friends.
I traveled at least once a year. No, i am not taking bus to amtra, airport. No more stress on my vacation. Before uber, i took blue shuttle.
About Seattle, i did a lot research. The downtown area maybe better than LA. The rest is as bad as LA.
My ex coworker used to live n work in Seattle. He took bus to work. He told me public transportation in Seattle is terrible.
Oh, most IT, software jobs are in suburbs. Getting to work in Seattle would just be like. LA
I ride a bicycle to work and saving $ and i been doing this since 2014, I'm going to DMV to surrender my drivers license!
that’s awesome, love to hear it!
Was following you till you went all save the planet self righteous ayy 😂
6:49 hey! that's an explosion not an implosion !
🤫
9 months later, how is it going?!
Something is in the works, stay tuned 👀
I am 18 and I iterally cannot drive because I'm lazy and dont wanna know how to and would also love to live without a car
After graduate school, I plan to move to Washington, D.C. Or N.Y.C. I have zero desire to have a car in the future. My mom gave me her car while it's still in her name. It makes insurance much cheaper.
I live in Bremerton and am currently car free after my last car (which I was planning on ditching in favor of my bike for most of my trips anyway) went to sh*t. I just get around by bike and I’m considering remaining car free, even if this city is a car centric hellscape.
I’m not happy where I am living in suburbia. I need to find someplace where I can go car free but I don’t want to live in a big city like New York City or Seattle. I’m doing more research to find that medium size city where I can go bicycling and walking instead of drive the car everywhere I need to go.
And I didn’t even know what a Costco five dollar chicken was until someone took me in their car and showed me before I bought a car when I returned to the United States. Actually I can do without the five dollar chicken because there’s so many other things I like to eat but each to their own.
When I was car free when I lived overseas and worked there I didn’t have to join a gym because I walked or bicycled everywhere when I did not take a train or street car.
However, when I return to United States I gained 10 pounds and had to drive just to the grocery to buy us something small or drive to the gym that cost a lot to join. Actually I didn’t join it and I’m walking around my ugly suburban neighborhood and you can not actually walk safely to the grocery to buy something small because there’s no way to walk there safely even though it’s only us so far
Have you ever thought about a ebike? I’ve got the cowboy 4 ST and it’s pretty nice
YES! I have a folding blix e-bike, and it’s super fun to ride! Gotta admit, the cowboy 4 ST looks sick
I am happier without a car. Due to my mental health, I got a bus pass that allows me to use any public bus in Scotland free and any train for distances up to 10 miles for £1 i way and £1.50 return or half price for longer journeys. I also have y e-bike and most of the roads aren't too busy. I have a shop, a Chinese retaurant, a fish and chip shop and a bar/diner right across the street and I am a 20 minute walk/5 minute bike ride from the town centre, I could go to the top of my street for dance lessons, a tattoo, an Indian meal and a weeks shopping at Aldi if I really want. I can cycle to my girlfriends house in under 10 minutes, which is about how long it'd take to drive given the shortcuts I can take on a bike and cycling is just more enjoyable- I'd need 2 buses and an hour for that ourney, so public transport kinda sucks due to the lack of orbital routes forcing a detour to a hub, but hey it is free and there are many journeys for which it still makes sense!
I'd argue that if we invested as much in public transit and made it free at point of use (like we do for car infrastructure) That almost nobody would have a car, just because of the savings! This would open up everything for poorer people! I was more excited to get free transport than I was to buy my first car! Now I just have absolutely no desire to own one. If I want to take a peasure trip or need to move, I will hire the car or van I need! With all of the money I'm not spending owning a single car, I can easily access the vehicle I need or want for a day or two, even if I wanted to hire a sports car to drive out to the coast! Owning a car is for chumps here!
If infrastructure is done right, there should be very little niche for EVs, if you live in the middle of nowhere, an EV just doesn't make sense, if you live in a populated place, public transit should exist. For those who live in very rural areas, I don't mind you having a car, a park and ride will be placed in a central location for you to connect to the transit network, since those people make up such a smal proportion of the population, I can overlook them having a petrol car as it is just more practical in that application.
I honestly don’t have a car and it’s been a week I tried to look for another vehicle but everything is so darn expensive lol
Living in one of the biggest cities in America... Where there is some sidewalks, bike lanes, and public transportation. Not the best, but better than nothing. Try living in a small suburb in the middle of nowhere, more than an hour away from any other suburban city.
For the case of living in the middle of nowhere (or anywhere with no reliable public transit), a car would definitely be necessary to get around. I wish that wouldn’t be the case, but that’s what the infrastructure determined. :(
I prefer petrol and diesel cars they are more efficient for me personally. Taking away or banning disel and petrol is a violation of our freedom and right to own personal property like cars ect. Public transport doesnt get you everywhere neither does walking or biking. Public transport is not efficient.
Owning a car is better than and more efficcient than public transport. You dont have to rely on public transport and this creates a sense of freedom and independence you commute anywhere you need to. Privacy and saftey are detrimental to me just as much as independence.
We're thinking of moving to either Seattle or DC in order to be in a larger metro where a car free lifestyle is more common. We share a car now, rarely use it, but our transit system in Charlotte NC isn't great. Plus, we know virtually zero people who share our interest in car freedom. Do you think it's a lot more normal in Seattle to live without a car and to think first of other ways to go places? I fear Seattle is also a little car-centric and we might still feel somewhat alone in that sense, which is one reason we are also considering DC. Interested to hear your thoughts.
I’ve been a tourist to many places since I used to work for the airlines but of course that’s different than living in most places but I found Chicago and Boston besides New York City to have many people who do without a car.
I used to like riding a bicycle everywhere in Portland Oregon the short time I was there but since I was there quite a while ago I heard that there’s many homeless camping out and it might be hard to ride the bicycle trails safely but I’m not been there for quite a while so maybe it’s changed since I’ve seen the videos about the homeless. not against homeless people just afraid of running into people that are using illegal drugs and might be dangerous.
I live right in the city of Seattle and have no car... been here 5.5 years (I'm in my 50s)... I find it easy to get around. I work from home, though, so no commute. Feel free to reach out if you want to ask any questions.
how do you get your groceries home when you don't have a car in a city?
Great question! I usually do one of three options:
1. Carry them in the large basket installed on my bike.
2. Carry them using one of those foldable grocery shopping carts. I usually use a cart for larger grocery trips, or costco.
3. Carry them in reusable grocery bags. I recommend getting bigger grocery totes with shoulder handles for more space and comfort.
Luckily, it’s not uncommon to see people carrying groceries on public transit in the city :)
Do people in towns and cities the US not get most of their groceries delivered?
I did buy a hybrid car and I’m enjoying it but I still rather would find a car free life I’m still looking for the city that would suit me. Tested be big enough to have some kind of museum and other culture activities it’s small enough I don’t feel lost in like New York City
I don’t know why but it’s not letting me edit my comments. I meant to say that the city I find should be big enough to have some kind of cultural activities but small enough that I can still don’t feel like I’m lost in big city life.
Have you heard of Eugene, OR? It has a solid BRT line, lots of museums, and things to do at night without the big city experience (and cost lol)
@@rinahra thanks for taking time to answer my question and musings.
I would probably like Eugene Oregon except I heard that Oregon in general such as Portland I think Eugene also has a lot of crime problems and homeless and nothing can be done because of the laws so I would feel unsafe if there’s people roaming the sidewalks that took illegal drugs. Nothing against them in general but I heard they’re camping out and blocking the bike lanes in Portland and safety is my priority.
I did rent a bicycle in Portland Oregon on summer read back before this happened and I felt very safe from all the bike lanes and had a real good time.
Lived here for 2 years without a car, no problems at all
You gotta remember that not everyone wants to live in or near the city. Me and my wife have a house on 12 acres which is surrounded by acres of farm land. We got 5 miles of dirt roads till you hit pavement also it's a 50mile round trip to work so public transportation is out of the question. Also in the winter you better have a good 4x4 if you plan on going anywhere. So yes there is a price to pay if you want to live out in the middle of nowhere but when we come home to our beautiful property and the fact that we are pretty much independent is well worth it. Also I work as a diesel mechanic so repairing our own vehicles is a walk in the park.
As she stated in the video, being without a car does not work if you’re in the country side and other scenarios.
May I know which area has good Public transit options ?
It took me until a pandemic to realize how much it sucked to be surrounded by cars and depend on it for my sole means of transport 🙃. The US is way too overbuilt for cars but for a lot of people, it's all they know. Not a big fan of EVs as the solution we seem to have settled on. They're way dirtier during production as you mentioned and buying one would just put me in debt I don't want. It'd be great if it were EVs + more walkable neighborhoods (at least in more sub/urban areas. I know rural areas won't have the option but it would go further where more people live anyway). But that would take such a generational change that I don't think we're ready for yet. But maybe someday ~~~
Do you feel isolated in Seattle sometimes as a car-free resident? Some places are better than others. I used to go to school in Houston and even though the campus was walkable, the moment you step outside its boundaries, you're screwed without a car so sometimes it felt like an island without proper connections.
Right?? I’m super conflicted with EVs being the solution, but with good ol American exceptionalism, we just love creating new solutions to problems that have already been solved, even when the new solution is subpar (ie: EVs instead of building better public transit infrastructure). EVs also don’t solve the poor land use problem, like why do massive surface parking lots still exist in major cities?
Speaking from my own experience, I haven’t felt very isolated. I live in a neighborhood that’s increasingly getting denser, which has been attracting a lot of new and different businesses. I can access cafes, restaurants, grocery stores, the main train line, and even gyms all within
@@rinahra It feels like we think we can just invent our way out of everything, even if that means reinventing the wheel haha. I'll still be unhappy in traffic even if I'm in an EV or autonomous vehicle. It's such an extreme solution when all I need is the town to build cafes/restaurants/groceries within walking or biking distance. You don't need any new technology for that.
That's great that you live in an area that's getting denser with more amenities. Then you only need to borrow a car the few times you need one. Some places aren't accessible except by car but I really doubt most people in Seattle are going to Mt Rainier every other day or so. The car sits idle so much of the time that it's like "Am I really paying $700 per month just to park a car 99% of the time?"
It does depend on your neighborhood- and like most US cities, Seattle has only a few really walkable neighborhoods.
I moved from north Seattle (isolated) to closer to light rail (walkable).
@@rinahra I find that even places that need cars such as the outer suburbia they have way too much parking spaces such as in small Plaza‘s or other shopping centers or even groceries only use a fourth often.
Did you eat much sugar when you were a kid ?
I thought you were going to give some insight on how you make living without a car work?😂😂😂 so is the solution to get by with Uber or Lyft? I didn’t really here where you offer any solutions to the problem…..
I’ve lived here for a year without a car! Only reason why I’d want one is so I can go snowboard alone in the winter🥲
I think flixbus does some trips to certain mountains for ~$50, roundtrip (still a bit steep imo). If there was a cheap/easy way to do spontaneous solo trips to literally any mountain, i’d be all over it 🥲
btw, love your videos!
My bike is my freind.
Electric vehicles can be in the mix if autonomous driving picks up more steam. Imagine summoning an autonomous vehicle for pickup. This would obviate the need for car ownership for many people. Keep up the good work!! 👍👍
That would be good if it really works because then you would not need a garage if you had a house or apartment and you would not need a parking space nor would you need to keep up with car repairs or car insurance.
i live without a car in Alabama it's easy i have a Ebike i am 46 if i can do it anybody can
That is absolutely the last state I would think you could do that but good on you.
Almost anyone in a European city would wonder why there is even a point to a video like this because so many people don't bother with cars.
i can only dream of living in a place where cars aren’t the standard 🥲
@@rinahra I have a car, but many people don't; I am in a normal suburb of London within 5 -10 mins walk of many of the shops, pubs and restaurants I will ever need (larger bulk shopping is mostly delivered; not sure who actually goes to supermarkets these days), as well as 5 mins from 6 bus stops and a tube station (20 minutes to work and to central London). I think this is normal for most urban and inner suburban parts of Europe.
How about the dating scene, navigating without a car? idk about seattle but its usually considered the guy has a car to go on dates (pick up or drop off or get them in your apartment :))
it’s pretty easy! Typically the hot spots for having dates are, coincidentally, the places where finding any kind of parking is a nightmare (think circling the neighborhood for 15-30minutes to find street parking). People are very open to meeting up at restaurants or bars for dates, and if you want to offer a ride home to your date, offer to call them an Uber or a Lyft! :)
When I was at uni, couples would ride their bikes together to dates. Also there are electric bikes like the Eskuta where you can take a pillon which is way more fun and intimate than being driven in a car.
The idea of the guy driving the car ought to be so outdated now, since back then it was the man that would go out the house and go to work so would own a car, and the woman would stay at home. The only reason why Americans have this idea that a man is a failure if he does not own a car is because of America's terrible urban planning, that it's nearly impossible for most people to function without a car, and you would only not own a car if you had no job and money. Things are different now, especially with cars are becoming less and less sustainable with population growth and enviromental reasons.
Yeah I think the traditional date was the guy picks up the woman and drops her off. Today it’s more likely to meet each other in a café or pub restaurant.
On the flip side.... Do I want to date a woman who would refuse to date someone who chooses not to own a car? Imagine this: Say I want to be car free, but I instead buy some sports car just to get the girl... then what... date for 6 months and then say "just kidding, I have always wanted to be car free. I hope you still like me now that I got rid of my Lamborghini in favor of a Pedego." No, I think I would prefer to meet the girl when I do not have a car. No false expectations to deal with later.
She is really pretty with beautiful skin.
Did you just say that you hardly shower? Oh no,
🫢🤫
This is not realistic, unless you never switch jobs. You don't go anywhere outside Seattle; hikes. Also, Seattle transit is horrid...ppl get assaulted on the daily. And waiting for the bus @ night?
This is on the same vibe as "van life"...
Certain places especially those outside of Northern America are car free or car lite. I’m from Florida so I agree with you to an extent. In Florida, there are so many pedestrians fatalities but there are also a lot of car on car collisions. I lived in a little town in Tx and was able to be car lite. I had more fun and freedom then I ever had driving in Fl. I do also have concerns about safety on public transits , but I just like many activities you gotta pray and be smart. It is not that it is not realistic but maybe not possible with your reality. It is definitely not for everyone😅.
I lived it! And did all of the above! It was possible, enjoyable and cheap. There’s even public transit to get to hikes. Also never got harassed. I think the only caveat is living or getting somewhere too suburban which honestly I didn’t want to anyway. I can imagine feeling this way if you live in a suburb though. Also you’re forgetting uber exists
I have never had a problem on public transportation. Not once. You want to hear dangerous, 43,000 fatal car crashes a year in the US. I personally have lost many friends and family members over the years to auto accidents. It is astounding to think about. Now, I ride my bike a lot, and that is dangerous, but only because of the cars.
buy a car
Ok, in the segment "Cars are unpleasant", you are driving home your point by equating cars to kids. Is there something else, you want to share with us? :D
If you're going to go car free, you'd better darn sure have a bicycle. Walking is slooow.