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Was being car-free one of your reasons for going nomad? (alien.top)

submitted 11 months ago by ElKorTorro@alien.top to c/digitalnomad@expats.zone

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Over the years, I've realized that:

I don't enjoy driving.

I don't like sharing the roads with dangerous drivers (especially in my area with frequent accidents).

I don't like the costs and financial burdens associated with owning a car.

Groceries and appointments seem to be my only reason for needing a car, but I feel like I can find ways around these with proper location and route planning. Right now, I currently live in the suburbs where it's basically essential to own a car.

I'm looking for a way where I can live a life without the need for a car. It seems that by re-locating to a country with a superior transit system, it could be an option. Is this possible or am I being unrealistic? What am I missing?

How big or important of a factor was this for you when going nomad? How does it impact you?

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[–] rarsamx@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

City design is paid with taxes, changes to increase walkability are paid with taxes, public transit, which is fundamental for walkability are funded through taxes.

I live in Montreal. In recent years there have been substantial expenditures to reduce dependency on the car to the point where having a car makes things harder if you move within the city.

Created dedicated bike lanes reducing car lanes and sometimes street parking spots.
Add paid parking. Not expensive enough to break the bank if you need to use it but enough to make you think twice if you want to spend $6 or take the metro.
Making some streets pedestrian in the summer.
Creating the REM (metropolitan express network) : which include dedicated bus lanes, suburban light rail, bicycle "highways", etc.

All that is expensive but necessary.