Resources For Becoming Car Free
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By Akaisha Kaderli
In an earlier article, I explained our decision to become car free after years of deliberating the pros and cons of such a choice. Retirement takes many expressions and even if you could never see yourself as becoming free of car ownership, maybe you have toyed with the idea of keeping only one vehicle instead of two.In this case you might be interested in the following: On the Pace Bus site ( http://www.pacebus.com/sub/vanpool/cost_of_driving.asp ) you can calculate your own cost of driving - fuel, maintenance, tires, insurance, license fees, registration, taxes, finance costs, washings, parking charges - from a chart that AAA provides. Differences lie in the size of vehicle you own, whether or not you have full insurance coverage, and if you choose to bring a car loan into your retirement. If the total cost per day or cost per mile startles you, weighing alternatives could prove appealing and good for your wallet.Approaching retirement, many consider relocating to walkable cities or towns. Walkscore ( http://www.walkscore.com/walkable-neighborhoods.shtml ) and Prevention Magazine ( http://www.prevention.com/cities/index.html ) can help you find the best walking cities in the States to live. Fascinating and lively cities such as San Francisco, Boston, Honolulu or San Diego head the list. You could be living in one now, and never took advantage of the green space or mass transit available to you. This would be a good time to implement that option!Remember, each time you walk to the grocery store is good for your health, shopping nearby supports your local economy and talking with your neighbors helps build community and strengthens your muscles from carrying the groceries. Slow down and enjoy! Billy and I live in an Active Adult Resort where we are within walking distance to stores, restaurants and entertainment options. Most of what we need is near to us and we appreciate the slower pace of life with all the rewards it brings. Many of our neighbors use a small scooter, golf cart or a bicycle to get around to places within a reasonable range. When we need to go somewhere farther, we trade services or pay cash to a neighbor or friend for their time. This is much cheaper than a taxi, more sociable, and we aren’t bogged down with worries about maintaining a vehicle. Both sides appreciate the trade and our lives are enriched. At Ride Share ( http://www.erideshare.com/ ) you can find rides to share for shopping, medical appointments, or long distance travel. Just type in your zip code and find out what’s happening in your own neighborhood! You can offer rides to cut costs or find one for yourself.Pursuing a simpler, more community-based retirement has noticeable advantages and it doesn’t have to be grim or difficult. Being flexible and imaginative about your life away from work brings payoffs both personally and financially. And who knows? Perhaps you will be pleasantly surprised at the freedom you find. We were. Resource Box: Akaisha and Billy Kaderli retired almost 2 decades ago at the age of at the age of 38 and began traveling the world. They wrote the popular book, The Adventurer’s Guide to Early Retirement (http://retireearlylifestyle.com/orderpage.htm ) which has sold in 39 countries. Read more of the wisdom, creative lifestyle options and information they share on their website RetireEarlyLifestyle.com ( http://retireearlylifestyle.com/ )
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