Would getting an Uber to school be maddness

[Undecidedandtorn]

I have recently split with my husband and am looking for somewhere new to live. I don't drive (I have tried to learn but can't seem to get the hang of it and can't really afford a car either) so want to stay in the local area for schools etc (we are likely to do 50/50 with the kids). My youngest is 7 so has a few years of primary school still to go. There are some cheaper nicer properties that would be too far to walk and no bus routes that work but an uber would be about £5 each way which, once I take holidays and only have to do it half of school term time feels doable.

I live in London and never had a problem booking one but not sure if there are other alternatives or pitfalls I should consider. Any thoughts or ideas would be gratefully received.

Why would it be madness? If you can afford it then do it. You could also try biking it.

Would you be travelling with your DC? Assuming you are going home in between, that’s £20 a day or £400 a month. Would you be able to pay more to live somewhere closer?

I can't see any possible pitfalls in travelling by Uber. Millions do it every day.

If it’s only a £5 trip how long would it take to walk? Is it something you and your dc could work up to?

You can but also look into a regular booking with an ordinary local taxi firm. They may do it cheaper if it’s every day

How far is the walk? If it’s London then are you sure there isn’t a bus even part way?

I have friends (not in the UK) who send their dc to school in an uber (alone). It's quite typical where they live.

If it's affordable, then I don't see an issue. The only issue is that what if it isn't 50/50. What if your ex only wants to do EOW? Could you do £50 a week/£200 a month on ubers?

Personally, I think I'd be inclined to spend that little bit extra living somewhere more convenient, which also opens up more opportunities for you in terms of work too (if you aren't spending time schlepping about in an uber every day).

The other thing to consider is what you will do when it comes to things like parties and just wanting to see friends outside school.

A £5 Uber ride (in London) really doesn't get you very far. Are you sure it's not walkable?

It seems a large cost if you say you cannot afford to run a car. £20 a school day, just on cabs (and more if surge charging kicks in for any reason).

Rather than an uber would a local taxi company give you a good price for a regular booking. Can you walk home in between so only need a taxi one way? Could you get a taxi approved for school trips and sent you children on their own?

Get an electric cargo bike. They are very popular in cities like London, Cambridge and Oxford. If your employer offers the bike to work scheme, you can buy one that way and save a lot of money. Or you could buy one second hand.

If you're on Facebook there is a group called Family Cycling U.K. where you can ask advice. A lot of people on there rave about the Tern GSD. Other bikes are available!

I should have given more info. I can walk to work from his school so I would go with him in the uber (or local cab - that is a good idea) drop him off and then walk and do the opposite at the end of the day. There is a bus part of the way but once I add on the walk to and from the bus stop either way its around 30/40 minutes, he's a very slow walker so to walk it with him would take even longer and currently getting out of the house in time for the current 10 min walk is problematic.

I had thought about biking it but the road is super busy so that makes me a bit nervous.

Would he use a scooter?

Scooter would be the obvious answer, they will be quicker than you walking briskly.

Could he go on a scooter to make the walking a bit faster? Also I sometimes find that theres not an uber available when I want one so that might be a problem.

Getting an UBER every day is entirely your choice because only you know your finances etc

In London I’m surprised there are absolutely no public transport options. £10 a day is expensive but if you have the money, an Uber makes sense. I’ve walked 30 mins to school since my DC started fwiw, they’ve always managed it even in reception.

I would bike it with high vis helmets and jackets. You could even do some bike training for busy roads if you wanted to boost your confidence and get tips for maximising safety.

Alternatively, scooter is a good idea - you could both have one. Ideally electric for more speed, although you probably can't take an electric scooter on the pavement can you?!

My walk to school is 20 mins there and 20 mins back and I do that 4 times a day so works out 1 hour 20 mins a day if you are going straight to work after than you will only be doing the walk twice a day? I don’t think it sounds that far of a walk really

A £5 Uber is a short walk in London. Scooter is a great idea and will cost less than a weeks ubers!

Maybe I am overthinking the walking bit - we would just have to leave lots earlier I guess. His older brother would be leaving earlier anyway to get to secondary school - we could walk part of the way with him before we split off. It would mean walking past our current house which feels a bit odd. He has never got on with scooters and when I say busy road I mean lots of trucks ect so I don't think that a bike is ever going to be an option.

How far is it?

Walk when the weather is ok, Uber when it's raining or you're exhausted.

A NT 7 year old is capable if walking a £5 taxi distance. I agree with the scooter or bike on pavement for child.

It would be around 1.5 miles each way. I like the idea of using uber as a back up - I guess as he gets older his walking should be quicker. I used to walk around the same for primary school - maybe I am over thinking it.

1.5 miles a day is fine for a 7 year old! Many children round here walking 2 miles from age 4. Start walking more of the summer and agree with suggestions of moving to bike or scooter if you can.