Driving Miss G...

So I've been debating getting rid of my car.

The American dream, a necessity to life. A vehicle means freedom, convenience, status. Most people I know swear they couldn't live without one. The people I know who don't have one miss out on an awful lot. Life without a car around here is difficult. I've never been without one since I was 16. Even though I've managed to get by without driving for months at a time at various stages of my life, I have one, at least I can look downstairs on the curb and see it, I know it's there.

But I only drive it 3-4 times a month. And now since I got sick, I'm not driving at all. It's almost not worth hanging on to. Situations have changed.
I have always used the bus to get back and forth to work, and my own two feet get me everywhere else I need to go; the only time I ever used the car was to go visit friends and family who aren't accessible by bus, or to go out late at night to the clubs, concerts, etc. And to do grocery shopping and laundry.

I only do grocery shopping and laundry twice a month, if I plan ahead and pay gas money, I can probably get a ride for that. I don't go out much anymore, if I am, I'll be with friends who can ride me around, or shell out the money for a cab, considering how much money I'll be saving compared to current vehicle costs. Once I'm back in school, I'll be lucky to go out at all. If I line up 4-6 people as chauffeurs, we're looking at once a month for each person to drive me. I'm looking at $40-60 per month to pay people for their gas and time, versus the $100 per month I'm paying now in gas and insurance costs, not counting any repairs, which on a 16-year-old car, should start skyrocketing any time now. For the last six months I've been paying $50 a month insurance on a car I only drive two days.

But again, I've never been without a car, it's always there if I need it. Trips to the emergency room, days I don't feel like walking anywhere, it is convenient for that, and I'm sure there will be days I'm going to miss having a car. But is it worth it? Just for those few occasions?? The debate continues...

I'm also contemplating moving. This old house is falling apart, and neither the landlord nor the folks in charge of maintenance are willing to do anything about it. The sewer pipes leak into the basement every year so when you first turn on the furnace in cold weather, the smell of methane nearly knocks you out. My downstairs neighbour usually gives up quick and calls the city, only then does it get fixed. Toilets leak, drains clog, for nearly three-four months at a time. The landlord of the place across the street usually fixes that stuff for us because he knows we're two single women with no clue and is well aware of the work that doesn't get done around here. The rent is so cheap and I can't really afford to move unless I am with a roommate, so I'd be giving up my freedom and personal space, and be forced to keep things clean, whereas now, I can let things slide on days when I'm too busy or don't feel like it. And I was blessed with awesome neighbours, they're more like friends, really, would I be so lucky anywhere else? In a way, I'd be preparing myself for the big move out of Ohio once I finish school. Wherever I end up I'll probably have to start out with roommates and will be surrounded by strangers, maybe a little practice is good...