Managing without a car

[MsG]

Hi. Just wondered if any of you have kids and don't have a car. Am pregnant now (due end of May) and we don't have a car, but I'm thinking it's going to be difficult without one. We don't live very near shops. Nearest supermarket is a 15-min walk. My DH is against the idea of getting a car and I am in theory, but practically I think it will be difficult managing without. Also not sure we can afford one but surely a second-hand one wouldn't cost too much.

Just wanted to know if people had positive experiences of not having a car, really.

I would love to do without a car - just don't think we could as we live in a village (does have a post office, chemist, playground)

but I'd never be able to get to dcs' after school clubs, that's the thing

when we lived in London I rarely drove - I think it's much easier to do without a car in towns/cities than more rural

we chose to live in a city so we could be car free despite the fact I hate cities. Would hate to think I needed a car every time I wanted a pint of milk.

I think the problem with owning a car is you take it for granted after a while and whereas you would have walked before you dont after a short while when you own a car.

Could you use taxis when you dont have an alternative?

Shops 15 minutes away doesn't sound to far, infact it may take you more time to pack baby into car along with pram, find a car parking space (usually a nightmare) and then get everything out agin and do it all in reverse.

Whereas pop baby in pram, shut front door and start walking could well be quicker.

I didn't have my own car when my first dd was born and walked 30 minutes into town three four time a week and did "bits" of shopping. Nappies from boots I would buy 6 packs and take to my mate who worked in town and she would bring them round when she came to visit once a week. (where there is a will theres a way

I really enjoyed walking everywhere

BTW those soft play things are sheer hell! we generally go to them once every 2 or 3 months. our nearest one is a 30 minute bus journey (2 miles away) but we often walk it in late spring, summer and early autumn when the weather is ok.

Our nearest city is 14 miles away from where i used to live and it took 50/55 mins on bus. Now we lives 14/15 miles away but we have to get the first bus of 50/55 mins, another bus of 20 mins plus a 10 minute walk. admittedly we don't go very often but i don't see it as a hassle when we do go. it's just that we have a massive shopping centre 10 mins away so don't really need to. If it's just one bus to your nearest city then it shouldn't be a problem at all.

As for nurseries and toddler groups etc we have loads within a 1.25 mile range that we frequently walk to. there's a new one we are thinking of going to which is a 2.25 mile walk. The nearest park with ducks is only 3/4 mile away for us so we are quite lucky but we quite often go to the next one along which is 1.5 miles.

If you have friends/family that might offer to give lifts i would get a cheap car seat or perhaps a second hand if you can buy one off someone you know or known through someone else iyswim. When out if i need to get a taxi i ring the office and book one and tell them to bring a seat rather than flagging one down.

I usually go to my cousins once a week. She lives 20 miles away. it involves a 10 minute walk, 50/55 min bus, 20 minute train, 10 minute walk and 10 minute bus! Can do it in about 1 hr 30 mins ish cos i am lucky that i don't really have a wait inbetween connections.

If you don't fancy a shopping trolley a big rucksack does the same job.

i think if youre managing now wthout then you should be fine, if it things like trips and days out you are concerned about then you can get taxis, i dont think its worth buying a car, taxing it, MOTing it, insuring it and keeping up repairs just for a few days out each year. as you said, shop is only 15 mins away, thats fresh air and excercise for you all, bumping into neighbours and friends, getting adult interaction. my nearest shop is literally a 5 minute walk away and i usually end up taking the car. it has made me soo lazy having a car and they cost a fortune. i need it for my work as it is 45 minutes away by car, and yes its handy to visit family and friends as and when i please but if i had to do without i know i could.

Our DS is 16mo and we don't drive - never had a car. The area we live in has good train links (buses are crap though) but I do a lot of walking - you should see my leg muscles now LOL. Our nearest supermarket is 15 mins away, down and up a hill - I'm used to it now! Don't forget you can do your food shopping online etc.

I do tend to get lifts if I am going somewhere with friends/family and it's hard to get to, but that doesn't happen often.

My DH is learning to drive ATM, but doubt we could actually afford a car even if he does pass his test!

If I had another one I would consider learning to drive, but that's a few years away yet...

Cheers - lots more good comments - definitely feeling more positive about not having a car now! I think I'm worried that I'll end up relying on family and friends a lot, but then I suppose with family they'll want to see their little nephew/niece/grandchild, won't they? It'll make me fit, that's for sure! Will be more sociable too as breaghsmum said.

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