Going Car-Free in a Small City

By the time I lost my car to a breakup at the age of 27, I had never really known a life without driving. I’d grown up in the middle of nowhere, and after a couple of years living abroad in my early twenties, moved to a small mountain town where I had to drive an hour and a half for provisions. A couple of years before the breakup, my ex and I had moved to the small city of Fort Collins, Colorado, and even though we lived walking distance from shops and restaurants, I still relied on the car to get around most days. 

But when he drove away with the car we’d shared, I was determined to make car-free life work for a while. I knew I wouldn’t be able to afford a vehicle and all its associated costs right away, especially on top of all the bills I suddenly had to cover on my own. 

That was almost two years ago, and I still don’t own a car. It’s been tough sometimes because I live in a spread-out city with limited public transportation. But I’ve gotten so many positive things out of the experience, including the satisfaction of knowing I’ve lowered my carbon footprint. Here’s how I’ve made it work.

Making Sacrifices

From the beginning, I was aware that this new way of life would involve sacrifices. The writing group that I used to meet up with in the center of town once a week was the first activity to go, as there was no convenient way for me to get there and back during the months when it was too cold to ride a bike. 

Also, hiking now plays a much smaller role in my life than it used to. With no public transportation route into the foothills, I make it to nearby state and county parks only a few times a year with friends. But I appreciate those visits all the more because of their rarity. 

How I Get Around

My world has gotten smaller since going car-free, but I’ve still managed to keep up with the majority of my activities — I just had to change my approach to getting to them. Before, my beloved Pilates class was an easy seven-minute drive away, but now it takes 25 minutes each way to walk and ride the bus. 

When I have to go to doctor’s appointments or my Italian club meetups (about a five- to 15-minute ride away), I often shell out around $10 there and back for an Uber. If I need to travel the 60 miles to Denver, I take the bus. And every few months, I’ll rent a car for a few days to run errands. All of these costs still add up to much less than I used to spend on gas, insurance, and car repairs. 

Because I’m a travel journalist and very conscious about the number of long-haul flights I take each year, I’m relieved to lower my carbon emissions in the months I spend at home, relying on public transportation (which is free in Fort Collins and includes electric buses), my bicycle, or my own two feet. As you might imagine, my daily step count has increased by about 15%. 

How Going Car-Free Has Changed My Life

Living without a car has meant being more intentional about the way I go about my days, and I see this as a gift. Now, I feel more connected to and present in the process of getting from point A to point B than ever before. 

One of the unexpected benefits has been the opportunity to connect more deeply with my community. I’ve had to challenge my desire for hyperindependence and ask for rides, or schedule errand-running days with friends. In the beginning, this made me feel like I owed everyone around me a favor,  but I’m learning to accept help more easily. It helps that friends have told me that lending me a hand actually makes them feel good.  

Of course, there are also plenty of frustrations associated with not having a car in a small city. Sometimes I have to turn down invitations because I can’t manage the transportation. Or I feel frustrated when it takes me over half an hour to run what used to be a quick errand. But overall, it’s been far more doable than I ever would have imagined. 

How to Drive Less

For many people, living without a car isn’t feasible. But even if you can’t completely give up driving, there may be ways to reduce your time on the road. The next time you have to take a short drive, try walking there and back instead. Make carpool arrangements when meeting up with a group of friends. Or note the routes you drive most often and see if there are any public transportation options that go the same direction. 

If I’ve learned anything from this experience, it’s that taking personal steps towards a more sustainable lifestyle doesn’t mean striving for perfection, but for effort. Along the way, you may just discover upsides you never would have expected.