I live in an ideal part of the suburbs. I’m close to my work, school, the swimming pool, the grocery store, etc.,. In many instances, the scooter is more consistently faster than driving and finding parking.

Commute times (door to door):

       : Work   : School : Grocery : Swimming Pool            
Walk   : 40 min : 15 min : 25 min  : 15 min 
Bike   : 15-20  : 5-10   : 15 min  : 5 min 
Scooter: 10-15  : 5 min  : 10 min  : 3 min
Car    : 5-10   : 5-10   : 5-10    : 5 min

My problem is, I really need to make changes in life, like go to the swimming pool more often even in winter; get a better job which will be farther away. I think I’m putting these off because I don’t want to drive.

All of these will be easier if I just embrace driving my car more. I can take groceries more easily. I can carry more swim equipment and I won’t get so cold coming home from the pool. But I don’t like driving because I feel like I’m a greater danger to myself and others, even though I’m a pretty careful driver.

Do any of you face similar challenges; do you just drive when it makes the most sense to drive?

  • Snot Flickerman
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    102 days ago

    There’s two parts to this:

    1. I don’t want to drive anywhere, I’d rather be taken.

    2. I want to be able to leave wherever I’m at whenever I’m done to go back home, and in most cases, this requires having your own car and not relying on others.

    On the plus side there’s at least decent bus service, but yeah, it comes down to, if I go out, I don’t want to have to take my car, but if I go out, I have to take my car so I can leave when I’m ready instead of being stuck, so I just don’t go anywhere instead.

    • @[email protected]OP
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      21 day ago

      When I got my car I realized that I was a lot more open to going to social functions because I could leave when I wanted to.

      I already could do this by bike or subway in high school, but not in the winter or when my friends were further away, etc.

    • @[email protected]
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      32 days ago

      When I did have a car, I felt #2 still, since traffic would dictate when I left. I only felt #2 go away when I was within biking/walking distance to my job.