Sure, but this is a little like saying “there is no moral consumption under capitalism, so I choose not to participate in it.” The reality is that the entire society around you is fundamentally built upon something, to the point that only the people who aren’t financially struggling can afford to insulate themselves from it. If someone is financially hurting, telling them “lol just move across town to an apartment that costs 6x as much so you can be near a station and take the train to work” is a fucking deranged suggestion.
Nice straw man, my guy. Clearly I’m not telling people to live somewhere they cannot afford. Some places where it is possible to live car free/car light are super expensive. The reason for that is those are the places with the highest demand, because lots of people realize that is the best way to live.
I’m not saying “just move”, I’m saying be a YIMBY. Be the person that writes your city councilor or goes to town hall meetings and says “Yes, please build more transit”, or “Yes, please build more bike lanes”, or “Yes, please build higher density housing”. The more places where it is possible to live car free/car light, the more the demand will be eased and it will become more affordable.
Also, it may already be more affordable than you think, if you consider your housing and transportation as a single item in your budget. The average car owner spends over $1000 per month to own and operate a car. So even if you move to somewhere the rent is 50% higher, you may still come out ahead by giving up your car.
Unless you live in Phoenix, your city was not build around cars. Your city was built around train stations and street cars. Sections of it were bulldozed in the last couple of decades to make room for more cars.
Sure, but this is a little like saying “there is no moral consumption under capitalism, so I choose not to participate in it.” The reality is that the entire society around you is fundamentally built upon something, to the point that only the people who aren’t financially struggling can afford to insulate themselves from it. If someone is financially hurting, telling them “lol just move across town to an apartment that costs 6x as much so you can be near a station and take the train to work” is a fucking deranged suggestion.
Nice straw man, my guy. Clearly I’m not telling people to live somewhere they cannot afford. Some places where it is possible to live car free/car light are super expensive. The reason for that is those are the places with the highest demand, because lots of people realize that is the best way to live.
I’m not saying “just move”, I’m saying be a YIMBY. Be the person that writes your city councilor or goes to town hall meetings and says “Yes, please build more transit”, or “Yes, please build more bike lanes”, or “Yes, please build higher density housing”. The more places where it is possible to live car free/car light, the more the demand will be eased and it will become more affordable.
Also, it may already be more affordable than you think, if you consider your housing and transportation as a single item in your budget. The average car owner spends over $1000 per month to own and operate a car. So even if you move to somewhere the rent is 50% higher, you may still come out ahead by giving up your car.
Unless you live in Phoenix, your city was not build around cars. Your city was built around train stations and street cars. Sections of it were bulldozed in the last couple of decades to make room for more cars.