I'm carless by choice, y'see. That doesn't mean I've never owned cars. I've owned three spankin' new ones in my time -- a '73 Ford Maverick, '78 Mustang and '97 Mitsubishi Mirage -- along with several used Hondas and a Renault LeCar (yes, a clown car if there ever was one) in between.
One day, with my car in the shop for the umpteenth time, I said, "The heck with it!" I live in an area where public transit actually can work for me. The train station is six blocks away and stops across the street from my workplace. I have the NJ Transit 113 bus which can drop me off across the street from my apartment if I decide to head into Manhattan after work. Or, I can catch that 113 at either end of my block if I want to go into the city. Or, if I want to go further west than the 113 goes, I can walk four blocks to the NJ Transit 114 bus stop.
The NJ Transit 59 bus stops a five minute walk away from my apartment. If I'm feeling lazy or carrying heavy stuff home from work, I can pick it up at the train station heading home. Its cost is included in my monthly train pass, so I don't even have to dip into my pocket for change! Plus, if I take it towards Newark, one stop is Trader Joe's in Westfield. Woohoo! My favorite grocery store! There's also a Stop and Shop supermarket at that stop.
Within six blocks of my apartment, I have a supermarket (Supremo), numerous bodegas, various restaurants and a gazillion dollar stores at hand. I have Peapod grocery delivery service with a few online clicks. I don't need no steenkin' car!
So I gave it up, along with the never ending wallet drain of owning and maintaining a reliable vehicle. It's been seven years now. With the exception of bad weather, I'm still loving the car-free life. Instead of a tense and frustrating commute in NJ traffic, I can walk to the train station, smelling the roses as I go along, read a paper on the train, and get to know my community and the folks here as no one could ever do entrapped in a metal box with windows.
The car-free life also enhances my photography hobby. I'm always on alert for interesting shots which you just can't take advantage of in a car. Sure, you can take fleeting shots out the window, but it just isn't the same as close-up and personal without the risk of being back-ended.
By walking and using public transit, each venture out of my apartment is an adventure! Occasionally, I go on real adventures (and I'm sure to be talking about them here), but the small everyday trips often have a gem or two along the way. And, I hope you'll share the trips with me.
I see dead people
Within six blocks of my apartment, I have a supermarket (Supremo), numerous bodegas, various restaurants and a gazillion dollar stores at hand. I have Peapod grocery delivery service with a few online clicks. I don't need no steenkin' car!
So I gave it up, along with the never ending wallet drain of owning and maintaining a reliable vehicle. It's been seven years now. With the exception of bad weather, I'm still loving the car-free life. Instead of a tense and frustrating commute in NJ traffic, I can walk to the train station, smelling the roses as I go along, read a paper on the train, and get to know my community and the folks here as no one could ever do entrapped in a metal box with windows.
The car-free life also enhances my photography hobby. I'm always on alert for interesting shots which you just can't take advantage of in a car. Sure, you can take fleeting shots out the window, but it just isn't the same as close-up and personal without the risk of being back-ended.
By walking and using public transit, each venture out of my apartment is an adventure! Occasionally, I go on real adventures (and I'm sure to be talking about them here), but the small everyday trips often have a gem or two along the way. And, I hope you'll share the trips with me.
