Even though the summer heat can get unbearable, avoid rolling the windows down because they create a lot of drag on your vehicle, which slows it down and makes the engine work harder.
Americans love their cars. That’s why almost 90% of all US citizens ages 16 and older drive at least occasionally. However, if you’ve been stuck in traffic too many times or had to empty your wallet because of expensive repairs, you might start considering living without a car when moving across the country.
Nevertheless, before making a decision and getting rid of your four-wheeler, ask yourself, does it really pay off to be a pedestrian? To help with this conundrum, we answered questions like where can you live without needing a car, and is it cheaper to live without a car.
No matter what your reasons for the relocation are, if you want to ditch the four-wheeler, take time deciding where you should live. Being stuck in a metropolis with lousy public transportation without a vehicle will make your life unnecessarily hard. You might start feeling depressed after the move because even the short trips around town are complicated and long.
To avoid relocating to a place that doesn’t fit your needs, research before notifying everybody you are moving. Ensure that on the top of the moving checklist is looking into different transportation options and commute time. Then decide to leave a four-wheeler or bring it with you.
When moving to a new state, you might wonder: Is a car really necessary for day-to-day activities? One of the best tips for living without a car is – pick the location with efficient public transportation. Fortunately, you can forget every weird driving law you have memorized and enjoy public transit if you choose to settle in one of these cities:
Even though going car-free is a trend, some cities just don’t offer any other solution. Whether there is an undeveloped public transportation network or the lack of bike paths, you will just need a four-wheeler to get around some places. That’s why, when you are moving out of state, settling in some cities will require you to ship the car as well. Before you start packing for the move, check out what are some of the worst cities to live without a vehicle:
There are more than 4 million miles of navigable roads across the US, all ready for you to explore, which cannot be done on foot. Owning a four-wheeler allows you to not only commute around the city but also embark on stress-free road trips and other adventures.
The freedom you experience when being behind the wheel is one of the main reasons why people drive. You can just pick up the keys and head out wherever you want to go. There is no extensive planning and buying bus or train tickets. Just you, on the open road driving wherever you want. If this sounds great to you, consider shipping your vehicle to the new state, not selling it.
Let’s say you relocated across the country, and now you need to figure out how to stay in touch with friends and family. Of course, there is the internet, but nothing can really replace seeing them in person. This is where owning a four-wheeler comes in handy. You can just hop in the vehicle and embark on a long-distance drive to see your loved ones.
Furthermore, if you own a car suitable for long-distance drives, you can plan a vacation and cruise around famous routes in the US. While driving, you can even check a few great car shows and see some of the most expensive vehicles in the world.
Car owners, especially those owning an RV, also have the opportunity to spend entire holidays on the road. Visiting museums, learning about the evolution of cars, and making friends with other car enthusiasts are just some of the things you can do. The whole long-distance traveling will probably feel like you are in one of the best car movies.
Relocation can be expensive, no matter if you are moving from a house to an apartment or the other way around. That’s why saving on moving costs might be your priority, and getting rid of your vehicle is just one of the ways to avoid going over the relocation budget.
Selling your four-wheeler will lower not only your relocation costs but also day-to-day ones. Meaning that you won’t have to pay for gas, parking spots, insurance, and expensive repairs when you move to a new home.
Let’s be honest – if you are already driving an old and used vehicle, there is a high chance that it takes a lot of work and repairs. Meaning that if you don’t know how to replace a valve stem or even how to tell if the clutch master cylinder is broken, you’ll have to pay a mechanic. And when has a trip to a mechanic ever went without some additional, unplanned repairs? So, you’ll end up paying for a change of tail lights, as well as adjustment of parking brakes you didn’t know the machine needed.
People without a vehicle don’t have to worry about these things. They can easily walk by custom car shops without instinctively reaching for their wallets. Furthermore, the website ValuePenguin states that pedestrians save up to $3,000 per year on gasoline, which is how much an average US household spends. On top of that, without a four-wheeler, you’ll get to keep $910 because you are not paying for insurance. The data also shows that an average American household spends $225 monthly for some form of public transportation.
The average household in the US pays $9,000 a year for transportation. Even though being pedestrian will save you some money, there are situations where owning a four-wheeler is actually a budget-friendly option.
If you have a big family, using public transportation might not be the best option, especially if your kids are small. This is where owning a family car is an excellent solution. Not only are these vehicles some of the best for city driving, but they are also reliable and comfortable.
Big family cars can fit more things than a president’s limo, from baby strollers and soccer gear to kid’s toys and work laptops. This way, you’ll save money by making one trip and finishing up all of your tasks instead of going back and forth multiple times of the day.
You can be on a budget and still drive. It is possible! All you have to do is alternate some driving habits, and you’ll be able to cut down on vehicle expenses.
Even though the summer heat can get unbearable, avoid rolling the windows down because they create a lot of drag on your vehicle, which slows it down and makes the engine work harder.
Aggressive driving, frequent braking, and acceleration are bad for gas mileage. Also, make sure you pick the streets with fewer stop signs and brake lights because those are bad for gas mileage.
You don’t have to be a gearhead to know how to fix windshield wipers or even how to change the license plate bulb. These small fixes can save you a few dollars. Also, using the wrong gas and motor oil will put a strain on the engine. Furthermore, make sure you change air filters because they can slow down your machine.
Prices of gas tend to be lower from Sunday to Tuesday, so save up by filling up the tank early in the week. If you don’t mind driving at night, know that buying gas is better when it is cooler. This is due to the fact that gas gets denser when it is warm, meaning you’ll pump less but pay the same.
No matter if you are a first-time vehicle buyer or someone who’s owned a few, you probably know that make and the model of an auto play a major role when saving up. The best solution would be to buy an electric auto because they spend less and repairs are cheaper. Also, popular import cars like some models of Honda and Toyota are really fuel-efficient.
Deciding to sell a four-wheeler leaves you open to many other transportation options. You won’t be bound only to public transit – luckily, you can also opt for:
Most people that want to live a greener and healthier lifestyle decide to get rid of their four-wheelers. It is one of the biggest steps a person can take in reducing a carbon footprint. Deciding to go vehicle-free will not only reduce carbon emissions but also lower the contribution to acid rain and smog.
Since autos emit about 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually, driving is one of the most polluting activities in day-to-day life. Reducing the usage of four-wheelers will create a healthier and cleaner environment for everybody. Not only that, riding a bike or walking are physical activities that will keep you in shape. And when you miss being behind the wheel, turn on some of the best racing games and enjoy the feeling without actually polluting the environment.
If you want to learn more about reducing carbon footprint, check the video below.
Deciding to ship a car cross country means you’ll get to keep your privacy intact, something people lose when they start using public transportation. While in your vehicle, you don’t have to share space with anybody, and it is also a great place to store some of your belongings. Furthermore, the four-wheeler is an extension of your private space, so if you are not too keen on being in the vicinity of other people while commuting, driving is the solution.
The next benefit of owning a vehicle is safety. While in public transport you are relying on others to keep you safe. In your auto, you are the person in charge of everything. You’ll have all the control. However, because you are not responsible for other traffic participants, accidents can happen, and that’s why you should invest in the best insurance.
When living in huge metropolitan areas, you can walk, bike, and carpool. However, when you are in smaller locations owning a four-wheeler can be the only way to commute. So, there really is no right or wrong answer to this question. The decision to keep or to get rid of the machine will depend solely on you.
Ultimately, if you decide to keep the four-wheeler, make sure to hire a car shipping company to deliver it to you. Look into car shipping services, and go over all the benefits of open trailers, as well as enclosed auto transport. Just know that there are many benefits of both open and enclosed options. You can also choose between door-to-door auto transport and terminal to terminal car shipping, depending on your needs.
