4 April 2018: Living without a Car in the Suburbs

Living without a Car in Huntington Woods
4 April 2018
By Nat Pernick

It has been almost one year since I gave up my car to ensure my daughter had reliable transportation to take to her summer job in Alaska. This essay describes the advantages and disadvantages:

Here are the advantages:

1. I have a better life, albeit a slightly different one. I still go to work, shop, have a social and family life. I am part of the resistance, and doing something about climate change. I am not going back.

2. Most people have concerns that don't apply to me including shoveling the driveway after a big snow, clearing off the car, warming up the car, driving in bad weather, bad traffic, bad drivers, parking, car maintenance, car insurance, tickets, accidents, stolen cars and getting a new car.

3. I can relax when traveling - read, sleep, talk to the driver or do nothing.

4. There is less running around, because I just don't do things unless important. I shop online and do grocery shopping after another activity, or when I know I will have a driver anyway. I sometimes use Uber / Lyft for deliveries (I pay by credit card and have them pick up the product and deliver it to me).

5. I have a much healthier life. I bicycle more (April to November), walk to / from the bus and anywhere within a mile (sometimes longer). I don't miss driving because I don't view it as an option.

6. I have a more interesting life. I talk to Uber / Lyft drivers about their lives - most want to talk.

7. This life may be cheaper - no car payment, gas, maintenance, insurance or parking. It costs more in the winter because I do not bike and dislike waiting for the bus or walking in the cold.

Here are the disadvantages:

1. Waiting for the bus, particularly in the cold, is not pleasant. I wear up to 7 layers - T shirt, long underwear shirt, regular shirt, sweatshirt, 2 sweaters, winter coat plus light neon yellow jacket to be seen; double socks + boots, hat, balaclava, 2 scarves, long underwear pants and regular pants. The SMART bus has an app with a tracker that tells where the bus is, which usually works. The bus is usually on time. Lyft / Uber is my backup.

2. I may wait 15-20 minutes for Uber / Lyft drivers in West Bloomfield, but elsewhere the wait is usually 10 minutes or less. I can see how far away the driver is on the app. Rides can be scheduled in advance, such as airport runs. Drivers may arrive early, particularly at 5am, but they will wait for me to come out at the designated time.

3. The “surge” for Uber / Lyft can be frustrating. Costs can vary dramatically within a few minutes. A few months ago, the cost for a weekday afternoon trip from Ann Arbor to Southfield moved wildly from $75 to $200 before I snagged it at $50. Booking in advance may avoid this problem.

4. Taking people out to eat is different. It's not hard - it helps to know the ultimate destination, then program the first pickup and the restaurant, but it takes a little getting used to.

5. Shopping requires more planning. I don't want to use Uber / Lyft all the time, so I mentally divide shopping into trips where I can walk or bicycle (and don’t buy more than I can carry) and those that in which I will have a driver (and load up). If possible, when I am going to be at a restaurant and use Uber / Lyft to get back, I try to shop nearby before I head back.

6. You must be willing to be different to do this; most of your friends and family will consider you odd or a little crazy. Dating is more difficult - women do not like that I do not have a car. Some people consider me a burden, even though I have a reliable driver that can pick me up in 10-15 minutes, but that’s how they feel.

I am happy to answer your questions at NatPernick@gmail.com.