I chose to live in Dallas without a car.
And I like it.
Like many Texans I was excited in high school when I got my driver’s license. It felt like true freedom. I could finally go anywhere I wanted and do anything. After several years I bought a nice 2020 Hyundai Elantra. However, a couple of years later, I started becoming more conscious of the many issues surrounding car dependency in America. The ability to get around anywhere at anytime in a car sounds like a really good thing, but it often comes at the expense of everything else in our cities. It was also burning a hole in my wallet. So this year, I set out with a goal: to sell my car and live car-free in Dallas.
The Trial Period
Since I had just moved to Dallas in January, I decided I would slowly decrease my car usage until I felt comfortable going without. I moved near the Forest Lane DART station and bought a bike. This combination would prove essential.
I first learned the DART rail system. I eventually learned how to effectively use the buses, but I would say the rail in general is far more reliable and frequent. It is a hub and spoke system, so I learned to go closer to Dallas than Richardson for my shopping and social meetings. If you live in an area where two or more lines pass, travel during the day, and check the time in the GoPass app, then you will never get stranded waiting.
After getting the basics of the rail system down I started experimenting using my bike more to get to places. Dallas has a very extensive trail system that allows you to travel far distances without ever getting on a busy road. Near where I live there are three trails. Two of them connect to grocery stores, allowing me to do my grocery shopping with only a <15 minute bike.
I gradually decreased my car usage until, by the end of August, I was using my car once a week to go to the office. I had accomplished my goal, but still felt hesitant on selling my car.
September
In September something horrible happened.
What’s up. Call me. Did you lose your car? - Dad
My dad called me and immediately asked me if I was okay. Confused, I told him yes. He told me Mesquite PD had called about my car. When I checked the lot I realized I had my car broken into and stolen. To save a few bucks Hyundai and Kia did not implement some basic safety features into their cars for several years. This allows basically anybody to steal these cars with enough confidence and a USB cable (yeah). Although my car was recovered with minimal damage, it cost over $1,500 to fix it. For a car that I was driving once a week to work, it’s needless to say that this was the final straw. I audited all my car expenses, and although I thought I was doing well, I was spending about $1,000/month on my car. Within a couple weeks I gathered up the courage and finally made the decision. I sold my car.
Post-Car
After selling my car I was nervous. I had thought everything through, but still felt like I was missing something. However, it has been a couple of months, and I have not Ubered or rented a car a single time. The extra money I now have has increased my quality of life drastically. I can spend more on things I want and have a higher level of financial security. Some days are cold and rainy and others are unbearably hot, but the extra money far offsets any minor inconveniences. If there is a way to feasibly get to your job without a car or you are work from home/hybrid, then I would consider this decision. I am not saying it is for everybody. But many more Dallasites should think about this. It is more obtainable than one might think.
The Future
I have been able to live without a car in North Dallas, but there are real risks. A lot of work needs to be done to make North Dallas more pedestrian and bike friendly. With my fiancee most likely moving in with me next year, I decided to use some of the money I am saving from the car to move to Uptown near the Katy Trail. It is my favorite neighborhood in Dallas and moving here would have been completely impossible with the expense of a car. I am really excited to move to a neighborhood where I feel like my lifestyle is not strange. If you live in or around Dallas and want help planning a car-free or car-lite lifestyle, then please feel free to reach out!
