Syda Productions/Shutterstock
- Having a car can be expensive and inconvenient depending on your means and location.
- Living in the Bay Area, author Laura McCamy decided to give up her car 10 years ago, which has saved her money, reduced her stress levels, and increased her daily exercise intake.
- Here are four benefits to going car free and why I plan to stay car-free.
When my aging Nissan pickup didn't feel safe to drive anymore, I faced a choice: Buy a new vehicle or get rid of it for good.
Reluctant to take on a new car payment, I decided to go car-free. The Bay Area has a decent public-transit system, and I could always buy a car later if it didn't work out.
Part of the impetus to give up my car was my concern about climate change. However, there are a number of additional benefits to giving up your car that could make it a worthwhile decision, like saving money, more opportunity for exercise, and slowing down in a fast-paced world.
A decade later, I'm still living car-free in the Bay Area, and I don't plan on buying a car anytime soon. Here are four of the best things about going car-free and tips for making the transition.