When my husband and I moved to Los Angeles, we knew the city was extremely spread-out, it had a strongly entrenched driving culture and inadequate public transportation. Because my husband is the main bread-winner and his job was the main reason we relocated, we chose to live where he would have next to no commute. We rent an apartment 5 blocks from his office.
We walk to our health club, dentists and doctors. We buy most of our food from the farmers markets blocks away from us. If we eat out on special occasions like a birthday or anniversary, we take our business to a local restaurant we can walk to. I walk to the flower market to get my cats some wheat grass so they aren’t totally deprived of anything green. Though we do drive occasionally, we bought a second-hand car, a second-hand campervan (our version of vacations) and a second-hand motorcycle.
My husband has more time to relax. Walking is healthy. We tend to travel “slower” and look around at our surroundings more. We aren’t stressed or jaded by a long, tiring or aggravating commute. Driving is more enjoyable. We save on commuting costs and because I have carry everything home, I tend to shop carefully and wisely.
If someone reads this and counters that because they own their home and their job is far away, requiring a commute, then I would challenge them to find a way to overcome that obstacle. Selling may not be an option, but maybe they could rent their house out so they in turn could rent a place closer to where they work.
This post was submitted by Monique.
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