Has anybody given up a car in retirement?

[Guacamole001]

Just that really.

I am thinking it will help my overheads nicely.

Got 9 more years before my full state pension.

I plan to work one day a week to top up. Health permitting of course.

That way I could feasibly have a modest week abroad yearly plus savings for rainy day etc.

No other private pensions as had to cash those in during the pandemic (self employed). No mortgage no debts. Smallish 2 bed and overheads agreeable.

I am well served with lots of reliable buses and trains etc. I just hate the cold in the winter so got visions of shivering at bus stops/becoming a recluse! Of course I would wear coats scarves etc but has anybody learned to go without a car after their whole adult lifetime being in possession of wheels?

I would love to hear any views and experiences.

I gave up driving a few years ago as my husband loved doing it and it and I could not be bothered to be honest so no problem. Fast forward a few years and a couple of months ago my husband had to give up driving due to health problems and I am now lost. We live in a town centre with a quite a good bus service but standing at the bus stop in the rain is wicked, sometimes they don't arrive and they also don't go anywhere near to where I need to be for my gym classes.
Don't give up your car, I wish I had never stopped driving as I could do it but my insurance is now through the roof as I have not driven for so long plus my age.

We have had to. My DH had a stroke and is not allowed to drive. I have epilepsy and have never been able to get a licence.

It works for us - I get a weekly shop delivered and we can walk to the local shops to pick up bits. Luckily we are close to our GP and pharmacy, my DSis lives up the road and my DS and DDil live 5 minutes away and are happy to give us lifts if we need them.

I have to admit that we have saved a lot of money - insurance, road tax, MOT, tyres, fuel (!), AA subs - it totted up to a surprising amount.

I haven’t retired yet but will be in the next 5 years. We personally won’t be getting rid of the car unless we have to surrender our licences.
We have family that live all across the country so easy to drive rather than public transport.
It is just a cost that we will factorise in to our monthly budgeting.

I'd rather work two days from home and have a car. Is that possible?

I need my car even more now I'm retired. How would I get around, see friends, see grandchildren, do a bit of shopping? I'd become a recluse! I'm reasonably fit at 71, but my car is the last thing I'd give up.

We didn’t have a car for around 7 years after kids left home. My husband did the maths and worked out how much ££ we were actually saving. We live in a city so get buses or trains, or walk. We joined a car club where you get a choice of car sizes for hourly use whenever you need it. We get big stuff delivered. And for holidays we rented the cars we want - 4x4s or bigger cars depending where we are going.
Now we have a car because it is part of my job package. Honestly I would be happy to get rid of it tomorrow. Driving around the south of England is a pain in the arse so I often don’t use it for weeks. It’s actually often quicker to take public transport.
i absolutely couldn’t have lived without a car when my kids needed ferrying around. But now it’s not essential and I feel more free and richer without one. My habits have completely changed and I wouldn’t dream of driving to the shops. So I walk more, it’s healthier for me - and I’m not contributing to congestion.

why don’t you try it for a year and see how you get on?

I used to be the above poster. I am most likely getting rid of the car by end of April next year when the MOT is due.

I work from home and ds cycles in to his job.

Just thinking how things have changed for most of us. Is anybody else giving up their car in the near future?

I know it will be crap in cold snaps but we get online delivery and don't need a car.

Just waiting on ds finishing cadets when 18 and no more lifts needed.

The money will go to the utility bills and doubt I will feel much better off !

I will be buying a ladies bike for errands.

Depends on your priorities. I wouldn't. Driving is very important to me, I passed my test soon after my 17th birthday and have always had a car since. I love driving itself. I love the freedom it gives me: being able to jump in the car and go anywhere I want without a second thought. I take a bus or train occasionally and really enjoy it. But having to be reliant on it, no thanks. Standing frozen in the cold, rain, snow, for 4+ months of the year waiting for a late bus. No thanks. I'd forgo other things to stop that.

Luckily our buses are reliable or in 25 mins I can walk to town.

If you've got 9 years to go until your state pension then I guess you're late 50s. That is young to give up a car. There will come a time when you cannot drive and you will miss the freedom. Keep going as long as you can!

November 2030.

8 more years. I cannot justify it. The cost.

Self employed. Although no mortgage money is a little tight. Probably worsen too when mortgages go up. May affect my earnings more.

Work out the annual cost of your car - insurance, petrol, MOTs etc. You will probably find it would be cheaper to take taxis and hire cars when you don't fancy the bus. I fully intended not to replace my last car, then we inherited one from aged parents....but when that one gives up the ghost, I won't get another.

They just eat money.

We have up a car years ago in our 40s. We didn’t use it much at all and only had a car at the age of 35. It depends where you live, I think.

Cycling walking more and fresh air will be good for me.😀