rugby bloke
Veteran
- Location
- Northamptonshire
We have 4 cars ... probably not the thread for me ...
It's good for the environment!We have 4 cars ... probably not the thread for me ...
I thought that rural life in the UK was generally the more expensive option, and that if someone wishes, and chooses, to have peace and quiet and no near neighbours they pay a premium for that choice and need a car.
I'm surprised at this (although the first comment is from the US where things are different). I thought that rural life in the UK was generally the more expensive option, and that if someone wishes, and chooses, to have peace and quiet and no near neighbours they pay a premium for that choice and need a car. I downsized into town three years ago, lost the mortgage, reduced all my bills, and got rid of the car which I didn't need any more. There were areas in the city that I couldn't afford, but I didn't mind living in a cheaper area with good public transport links.
Mmmm interesting point to get the old noodle boiling. When I moved to Cambridge I wanted to live in the city and I could have lived without a car, however I couldn't afford anywhere so had to look further afield and ended up so far afield I was in... a field. In the middle of nowhere in a place where you could easily become a slave to the car so I can sort of agree with the above that from some view points being car free is a luxury.
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I looked at this and thought no but then I saw where you lived and thought well maybe its different for you over there. Here in the U.K in the major cities,( not the sticks) I've found that the bus and train service is good-adequate. I'm 46 and I've never had a car and have always either used my bike or the buses and walked.
Have you considered wearing a nice raincoat?Luckily I got the thing back today and as it is forecast to lash down in Bristol tomorrow, I shall treat myself to the trade-off of sitting in traffic vs getting soaked with no drying facilities at work.
Or they could use combine those decent transport links with cycling/walking to you, or hire cars... but it's easier to make you do all the workTwo of my kids dont own cars, both live in cities with decent transport links and can cycle / walk to work . However seeing them is down to us going to them.
It must be very different where you live. I live in what some regard as the back of beyond (a fen village) and I'm still within 25 minutes easy cycling of a town containing jobs, shops, bars, restaurants, theatre, sports and music venues... not a massive choice of some of them, but there are two train stations within 25 minutes too, to head off to one city, or a bus station for long-distance buses to two others. Some places are more remote, but I'd say maybe half of the rural population is probably in a similar position. Cars are kept mainly as a luxury item, making it quicker to get places "just in case".Which is a valid perspective for some. Homes within walking, cycling or tube distance of a good job, shops, bars, restaurants, theatre, sports and music venues, where a car is superfluous, are generally well out of my price range and I see that lifestyle choice as luxurious.
In fact the more I think about it, choosing to be car free is a classic example of able bodied white middle class male privilege.