Carless in Melbourne
Well, it's been about a year now since I finally plucked up enough courage to do what I'd been talking about for years... Sell my car and live the car free life style.
Since then I have rented a car on 2 separate weekend, once to go camping with Niki, the other time to go to a Geek Weekend in Wagga Wagga.
With the price of petrol the way it is I figure I am quite a lot better off, although I have had to sacrifice my convenience significantly. For instance, I currently work in Doncaster, which as those who live in Melbourne know is quite poorly serviced by public transport, and can take me anywhere between 50 mins and 1 hour 20 mins to get to or from. Also I have friends in the far east (Narre Warren, endeavor hills etc...) who we've practically lost contact with (although some of them do have broad band and we chat regularly using instant messenger or skype).
Shopping is a little bit more tricky, and going to Tango requires either 2 changes of public transport or a 35 minute walk (you don't always feel like doing that much tango after walking there in your good shoes).
There are some alternatives which I'm considering such as car sharing schemes, and we are seriously looking at buying push bikes, but I have to confess, I don't regret the decision to go car free, but on the same token, I can't really judge anyone for deciding it's too much effort.
A consultant started work at the company I am currently contracting to in Doncaster for a 6 month stint, the first day he got a lift, then the second day (being a public transport person) attempted to catch public transport from North Essendon to Doncaster. It took him 2 hours to get there. He resigned that day.
