Here in the US it's impossible to live without a car unless you live in a large city with public transit... and even then it's difficult to do.
The grocer is 4.5 miles from my house. I "could" walk there but I'm afraid of walking on the side of the road where average speed is 45mph, no sidewalk, and more importantly people are still texting and driving here. The gym is 5 miles away, same scenario. In the winter I would also have to fight snow and ice... I think I'll pass on experimenting without a car in this area for now. Great read.
I grew up in the countryside in Scotland and most people had a car. But there was a bus and people thought nothing of walking a couple of miles to the bus stop. At one time the mail van was upgraded and had seats, but the route was too erratic and slow to be useful, and the service stopped. The main issue remains that the hospital is 50 miles away. People often have to pay for an expensive taxi to get them home.
Oof yeah that's tough, 50 miles is a long way. There's a lot of that sort of thing that isn't often considered with countryside living (I also grew up in a rural setting).
I live in a city in the US and have been car-free for over eight years. The closest market is about an hour's walk from me, and I usually get groceries about once a week, carrying everything home in a backpack. Someone in the comments mentioned that their nearest gym is some miles away; I'd only say that if you don't own a car you don't need a gym! I walk and cycle everywhere and it keeps me in excellent shape. ♡
I live in a rural village without a shop (although it does have a pub). I do drive, but I very rarely need to. It’s all about being organised, and making sure I have everything I need for the week ahead.
I go once a week to collect the shopping, and, apart from taking the children to their swimming lesson in a nearby town on a Monday evening, I don’t move my car. My car is very old, but I don’t see the need to upgrade it when I barely use it. I work from home, and the children go to the village school next door, literally.
I understand that I’m in a privileged position, but with careful planning, rural living could be accessible for lots of people who don’t drive. Especially with online shopping, a milk man, and maybe some considerate neighbours who wouldn’t mind picking up something you’ve forgotten on their travels.
When I moved in with my now husband it was a complete shock going from a town where everything was walking distance to a village with nothing but a pub (which never seems to be open) and we’re so out of the way that getting deliveries can be difficult other than shopping and heating oil! I do have a car but even with that it’s such a faff to get myself out of the house to drive 10-15 minutes to the nearest shop most of the time that I don’t bother unless it’s absolutely necessary or I’m off out anyway to the gym or something. That means that I spend a lot less on impulse buys of coffees, bottles of wine, food/takeaways etc... which is a win. Love it here now and not sure I’d live somewhere more urban now.
Here in the US it's impossible to live without a car unless you live in a large city with public transit... and even then it's difficult to do.
The grocer is 4.5 miles from my house. I "could" walk there but I'm afraid of walking on the side of the road where average speed is 45mph, no sidewalk, and more importantly people are still texting and driving here. The gym is 5 miles away, same scenario. In the winter I would also have to fight snow and ice... I think I'll pass on experimenting without a car in this area for now. Great read.
100%. It's a big problem I hear from Americans time and again - nothing is walkable
I grew up in the countryside in Scotland and most people had a car. But there was a bus and people thought nothing of walking a couple of miles to the bus stop. At one time the mail van was upgraded and had seats, but the route was too erratic and slow to be useful, and the service stopped. The main issue remains that the hospital is 50 miles away. People often have to pay for an expensive taxi to get them home.
Oof yeah that's tough, 50 miles is a long way. There's a lot of that sort of thing that isn't often considered with countryside living (I also grew up in a rural setting).
What a fascinating experiment, and it's something we've thought about doing. Thanks for sharing your experience.
I would *kind of* recommend it!
LOL! That's honest!
I live in a city in the US and have been car-free for over eight years. The closest market is about an hour's walk from me, and I usually get groceries about once a week, carrying everything home in a backpack. Someone in the comments mentioned that their nearest gym is some miles away; I'd only say that if you don't own a car you don't need a gym! I walk and cycle everywhere and it keeps me in excellent shape. ♡
I live in a rural village without a shop (although it does have a pub). I do drive, but I very rarely need to. It’s all about being organised, and making sure I have everything I need for the week ahead.
I go once a week to collect the shopping, and, apart from taking the children to their swimming lesson in a nearby town on a Monday evening, I don’t move my car. My car is very old, but I don’t see the need to upgrade it when I barely use it. I work from home, and the children go to the village school next door, literally.
I understand that I’m in a privileged position, but with careful planning, rural living could be accessible for lots of people who don’t drive. Especially with online shopping, a milk man, and maybe some considerate neighbours who wouldn’t mind picking up something you’ve forgotten on their travels.
Totally true. I think in the right village, it can absolutely work. If we were in another - one with a shop at least - it would have been much easier!
When I moved in with my now husband it was a complete shock going from a town where everything was walking distance to a village with nothing but a pub (which never seems to be open) and we’re so out of the way that getting deliveries can be difficult other than shopping and heating oil! I do have a car but even with that it’s such a faff to get myself out of the house to drive 10-15 minutes to the nearest shop most of the time that I don’t bother unless it’s absolutely necessary or I’m off out anyway to the gym or something. That means that I spend a lot less on impulse buys of coffees, bottles of wine, food/takeaways etc... which is a win. Love it here now and not sure I’d live somewhere more urban now.
Yes why are rural pubs never open!! It's a good point that the faff can reduce impulse buys - a good side effect indeed