It was not my dream nor my choice to be a one-car family. It was Jason’s idea and he was pretty adamant about it. When he got rid of his car two years ago and we were left with just my car and his Vespa I was terrified. I hate being dependent on other people to get around, and I also hate feeling like I can’t go where I want, when I want. And Los Angeles isn’t exactly known for it’s amazing public transit system. I was pregnant at the time and feared how the one-car family dynamic would work as I tried to juggle being a new mom, a working mom and a person who enjoyed (and was financially depended on) activities that were pretty car-dependent — like thrifting and furniture shopping.
Now two years later, I am thrilled with the one-car lifestyle. Sure, sometimes I can’t do exactly what I when when I want but all in all the benefits far outweigh the inconveniences, and here’s why:
1.) WE SAVE MONEY. We save about $1500 per year on car insurance, $2000 per year on gas, an estimated $500 per year on parking tickets and $600 on parking. And that doesn’t even include what we might spend on maintaining a vehicle, getting another car seat, registration etc. etc. I’m pretty sure we save at least $6000 per year by sharing one vehicle.
2.) I GET EXERCISE. On the days where I don’t have the car, I bike to meetings, meet-ups and to local cafes where I work. My bike rides have become an integral part of my routine and I love this time that I spend with the wind in my hair, getting my cardio on. And I LOVE a good 2-for-1, getting somewhere and getting exercise at the same time. Score.
3.) I GO PLACES WITH FRIENDS. Whereas before I wouldn’t ever ask friends for rides, or rarely even rally friends to go somewhere together, sometimes I need a ride to places and that means bringing a date! While it sometimes takes me out of my comfort zone to ask people for help, what I’ve found is that more often than not people are happy to give me rides places, and catching up in the car ride and going places together is actually a fun way to strengthen a bond with a friend, or get to know new friends even better.
4.) IT’S GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT. Duh!
5.) I SEE A DIFFERENT SIDE OF THE CITY. Many Angelenos live on the Freeways and rarely, if ever, walk or bike to get from point A to point B. What I’ve noticed is that when I walk or bike places, I’m stopping every couple of minutes to snap a photo of some incredible flower, a cool house that’s for sale, or to walk into a weird little thrift shop that I hadn’t noticed before. Being on the streets opens up a whole new side of LA that is totally worth checking out.
6.) I HAVE THE PERFECT EXCUSE. If ever I don’t want to go somewhere, not having a car can get me off the hook. ha!!
7.) NO PARKING NIGHTMARES. Anyone who lives in LA (and I imagine a lot of cities are like this) knows that having one parking spot and two cars is the stuff divorces are made of. Driving around the block eighteen times looking for a parking spot is NOT fun and I don’t miss it one bit.
8.) WE GO PLACES TOGETHER AS A FAMILY MORE OFTEN. We often combine errands and hang together more because we leave the house together. This makes for more family time and hanging out together.
Would you ever consider switching to a one-car lifestyle?
Traci says
I would absolutely do that! Especially because of parking, and I don’t even know first-hand what it’s like in LA. Makes so much sense to only have one car for that plus saving money alone. Good for you!
bri says
i love this! we’ve been playing around with the idea of becoming a one car family as well. my husband just doesn’t want to take the car to work and leave me without one in case the babes have an emergency. so we may become a one car and a motorcycle family :)
June says
We are a one car family too! I got my driver licence when I was young(er) but then moved to London so I didn’t drive (they go from the left, crazy brits) and since I hated driving anyway, I just stopped and never retook it.
Now we live in a small town with a poor public transport system but I am holding my gun and refusing to get a car.
Emily says
Love this! My husband and I are moving to a new state, and we just sold our second car.. it’s going to be quite the adventure, figuring out a new place by foot or bike, but I’m excited :)
Moni says
YES! We’re a one car family and it’s great. There are certainly days where it’s a minor inconvenience, but for the most part the pros outweigh the cons by a landslide. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve used the “I don’t have the car today” excuse to get out of something:)
Justina Blakeney says
haha I’m glad I’m not the only one who uses that excuse. hehe.
Meri says
I live in NYC and embrace a NO car lifestyle and love it! For so many of the reasons you list (saves money, encourages biking/walking, good for the environment, less stress…) I dread the day we might someday “need” our own car, but until then we borrow or rent on the rare occasion that a vehicle is necessary.
Danae says
We have always been a one car family (and I didn’t even have a car until I was 23). However, we are facing a new challenge here in LA as my mister is considering a job that is in Culver City, but we live in Pasadena. We’re trying to figure out how to navigate things if he takes it. It’s definitely more of a challenge here in LA than it was in Seattle, but we’re still planning to be a one car family!
nicole valentine don says
Awesome- love this list! I just got rid of my little car last month and it was terrifying as well…so far so good!
Sarah says
We are a one car family here in Sydney Australia, thankfully we live in a pretty central location with good public transport. The best thing I find is all the exercise from pushing the pram up the hills around here… its quite a workout!
I think even if we had two cars I would still take the train, bus or walk most places- it’s just so much easier with parking, getting little ones in and out of the car etc :-)
Heidi says
We were a one car family for about 6 months, mainly because we didn’t have the money to do an expensive repair on one of our cars. We are lucky in that my husband works from home, so it didn’t cause a huge problem for us. He would often ride his bike if he needed to go to the store during the day. On the days that he needed the car, I would take the bus about 8 miles to where my sister lives and then hitch a ride to work with her.
We eventually got car #2 fixed and I have to admit both my husband and I are happier for it. He feels less trapped at home during the day, especially on days where it gets really hot where we live, even though he admittedly doesn’t often need to go anywhere.
Maybe having grown up in Los Angeles means having a car is in our blood. I wish I could say the 1 car thing was a smashing success and I’d love to save the money. But for us, for now, it just feels better having two.
Justina Blakeney says
I totally hear ya. I know sometimes I feel a bit trapped too–but overall I think (especially since we only have one parking spot) 1-car is the way for us to go–but L.A. is a REALLY tough city to not have a car in…I get it.
Heidi says
I just try to balance it with riding my bike or walking whenever possible, which we both enjoy. In fact, we do our best to maintain “car free sundays”. Somehow by not driving anywhere on that day…only doing things that we can walk or bike to…it makes the day seem wonderful and slow! Of course, I am lucky that I have a trader joes and an organic farmers market within walking distance : )
nicole says
we’re currently a one car fam in san diego, and for the most i’m TOTALLY a-ok with that – especially because i feel like in many cases it stops me from killing time “window shopping” when i’m bored (which, let’s be honest, would end with me buying something i don’t need). not having a car when my fiance is at work all night (he’s a bartender) makes me feel like i need to be more creative to fill my time – and usually i end up getting work done, cleaning the house, reading, or watching a documentary that he wouldn’t be into. just another way one car saves $$$!
Jenny Bailey says
Yes! We are a one-car family in the suburbs of sunny Florida. Most days my husband drives and I walk my daughter to school and home. On days when I need the car I just drop him off at work and he rides his bike (12 miles!) home. We definitely feel healthier and more happily frugal and eco.
dervla says
we’re a one car family, but in NYC where public transportation is what we use the most. I’m not sure what we’d do in LA, but i’d like to hope we’d take the eco-friendly option. I love that you get to bike more.
Deb says
If we lived in the city, definitely! My husband once calculated that without an average payment for a new car and related expenses, people could afford another $150K in mortgage which should be an appreciating asset (well in theory but not true for our area recently) instead of a depreciating one. Can you tell he’s a finance MBA. I’d love to regain our house value, sell, dump this suburban lifestyle and move into the city. Taking only one car with us!
Justina says
oh gosh i wish i had gotten my MBA haha!
Carole Poirot says
We only have one car (though admittedly, we have two motorbikes) and it makes perfect sense in London. However, I guess public transport might be a little better here as it’s fairly easy to get around by Tube and I don’t use the car half as often as I did when I lived in a smaller town. I do admire that you cycle, I find it suicidal in London and way too scary… :-)
debra says
We’ve been a one car family since we married, 20 years ago! Granted the majority of that time we lived in urban environments with great walkability. Now 3 kids later and a suburban home we STILL have one car. My husband either bikes entirely to work or to BART. I use the car mostly for kid stuff. As they get older and more involved with activities we may need a second. But for now I love the shock on peoples faces when we tell them we’re a one car family and the lessened financial and environmental burden.
Jessica Davis says
Hi Justina –
It’s been a while since I stopped in on the blog (even though I’m a daily pinterest and instagram follwer). We sold one of our cars when we moved out of LA. Granted the east coast is more public transit friendly. It’s so nice to have just one car and have my husband take the train to work. We live near the train and the sound of the whistle and seeing the train when driving to school or even just going to the train for a ride to the next town for lunch have become such an integral part of our lives. It’s really great with a toddler who is obsessed with trains. I’m so glad we got rid of our second car – even here people think it’s odd.
Callie says
I love your perspective on this, and also that you have even thought to share this! I feel like the way we commute has such an overall effect on how we live in a place. I don’t have a car but use Zipcar, which has been amazing. I appreciate the restraint living car-free imposes!
Wendy Bird says
I’ve lived in Los Angeles all of my life except for three years at university. My husband and I were a one-car family from 1983 until the middle of 1986 because of a convergence of circumstances. We had just bought a new car and were on the verge of moving into a new house when my husband was in an accident and totaled our other car. Taking on a second car payment was out of the question and all of our savings had gone into the down payment on our house. Because I could ride one bus, I took the bus to work and back, and I walked everywhere else: the market, the post office, even my doctor’s office and optometrist. Luckily, we live in a neighborhood where that was possible. In 1986, my mother gave me her old car so I didn’t have to stand on the bus coming home while six months pregnant. We’ve been a two-car family ever since. Now that we are both retired, we’ll be a one-car family again. There is no need to have two cars anymore!