[image by andropolis]
A simple solution to save the planet: Live close to work!
Creating walkable ‘hoods that make driving unnecessary is the real smart choice — smarter than building more fuel-efficient cars, according to a new study by Urban Land Institute.
The study’s bottom line, as summarized by the California League of Conservation Voters: “No matter what we do to advance fuel efficiency in cars and make fuel cleaner, California will continue to emit more and more carbon dioxide unless we start planning and designing housing developments and transit that result in reducing the vehicle miles traveled.”
On a more personal and practical level, do you really like being stuck an extra 72 hours a year in rush hour traffic? If you’re tired of being a traffic masochist, re-think where you live and work. Wouldn’t it be nice to arrive at work or get back home sans road rage?
Living in a walkable ‘hood makes life much easier and more pleasant, because de-car-ing comes easy. Which is why the first step to de-car-ing for me was moving to Santa Monica, where I can get my groceries Co-opportunity, Whole Foods and the farmers’ market, drink at Bodega Wine Bar and Monsoon Cafe, study at 18th St. Coffee Shop, etc. etc. — all by walking or biking.
I know, I know — not everyone can afford to live in Santa Monica. But before you close the book on moving to a more walkable area — which usually have higher rents — re-consider how expensive living in that area really is if you get rid of your car. When you’re no longer pour hundreds of dollars each month on owning and maintaining a car, you can put that extra moolah towards a place in an area you like better.
I mean, de-car-ing can REALLY save you big money. Take, for example, this Santa Ana family that got bikes instead of throwing more money at their ailing Volvo. They’re saving over a third of their income now: “It’s as if your boss came in … and asked if you wanted a 35 percent raise.” (via Apartment Therapy LA) Likewise, Puke Green saves over $5000 a year via a carfree lifestyle.
Maybe environmentalists’ll all become rich by getting rid of their cars and take over the world –
Update, 5/18/09: Get naked, or get angry — for a better commute
I have a friend in Philadelphia who sold his car and now puts the money he would have spent in insurance in an account that he designated for transportation. Most of the time he walks, bikes, or takes public transit, but if there’s a reason he needs a car, or if he’d rather take a taxi home, the cost of that is never an issue. Plus he doesn’t have to pay for nearly as much gas, and doesn’t have upkeep costs. It’s like he made his own Flexcar program. Oh, and he also owns his own home in an up-and-coming neighborhood that wasn’t too bad when he got there.
Ultimately I don’t think this concept is going to work as well for us (and I mean specifically my husband and me), but as we look at where we want to buy, we’re looking at neighborhoods on public transit lines. Ownership will make a longer commute inevitable, but neither of us wants to do that by ar.
Comment by Kate — September 22, 2007 @ 9:54 am
One of the interesting things about good ol’ Pasadena is that over 40% of the people who live here, work here. When you include immediately adjacent areas (altadena, for example) that number jumps to 60% or so. One of the things we like about living — and working ! — here. . . .
Comment by Roger, Gone Green — September 25, 2007 @ 10:01 pm
Kate — Your Philly friend’s idea’s a good one. I should have a taxi fund instead of spending the money saved on booze.
Interesting stat about Pasadena! Where’s the source for this info?
Comment by Siel — September 26, 2007 @ 11:03 am