Movable Assets?
January 20, 2006 at 5:46 PM
by Ashleigh
Ever since I got my driving licence I've been wondering about getting a car. Brad takes the bus to work and except for the rare occasion when he works late, I wouldn't need to go and fetch him from work. I could go get him if I wanted to on a Friday afternoon, but the traffic is so heavy that he is better of getting the bus home. This is one of the benefits of exclusive bus lanes and us living on the premier bus route in the country.
So, if we owned a car then it would basically be for use on the weekends and in the week to take the kids to school and do shopping. To be honest the only day I have a real problem with transport is Monday when I take Sebastian to swimming. Even so, if its a fine and sunny day there is really no hardship in cycling to the pool. In winter, though, its a real torment in the rain and wind to ride to anywhere and do anything!
I guess I'm confused on a variety of bases - if I get a car then my fitness levels will decrease, but it will be nice to be dry and warm when en route to various places. We can go further afield for daytrips and actually see some of the country we live in, and it wouldn't be too much of a big deal to go to Belgium/France or Germany for the weekend.
There is of course, the question of money. But more than that I feel a slight unease at the idea of owning a car, of being dependent on putting petrol into something and paying for parking/insurance/all those other associated costs when I can manage just fine without one.
In the meantime we've taken out a subscription to Greenwheels, a pincard operated system when you can use a car in your neighbourhood paying per hour for the privilege. I used one this morning and it was pretty good. Now just to decide if we want to continue with Greenwheels (and stay in our pseudo-ecologically conscience comfort-zone) or become a married couple, two kids, house, car and cat family.
Comments
I love my car, as much as one could be in love with a piece of stinking metal... LOL
I mean the comfort, the freedom, that kind of thing, I love it!
You should also consider to keep your driving skills in motion...
Don't become a "sunday-driver"!
Juul :o)
In the States we had three (!) cars--one a classic collector's car, one pickup truck, and one sedan. We sold the first two and bought the sedan with us. My husband drives it to work, but I travel exclusively by bus and Metro or walking (I'm not keen on biking.) Sure, it takes longer and in bad weather, it can ruin your day, BUT it costs us so MUCH to own even one car here. Nearly everything car-related is three to four times what we paid at home. The taxes are unbelievable, car repairs and routine maintenance are so high that we have parts shipped from the States to save money, and of course, gasoline is expensive. Even with a car, we use public transit to go into the city or travel in Europe because parking is difficult and car breakins are so common.
V-Grrrl lives in Belgium!
........!
;o)
Having a car here is frighteningly expensive, and driving is a hassle.
However, driving can save a lot of time and it does keep one drier than a bike ride.
Honestly, if we did not need a car for our jobs, I would gladly sell it.
Greenwheels sounds interesting...
January 20, 2006 8:25 PM