I have been driving a car for some 54 years.  Long before I had a driver’s license.  I drove to Suffolk County, Westchester, New Jersey… luckily, I never got stopped or had an accident until my 17^th birthday.  The day my license actually arrived.  (I had taken the test two weeks earlier and was told I passed. Whew!)

My eldest daughter and my step kids had me coach them about operating a car from the time they were 16.  (In Northern Virginia, one could not get a license until attaining 16.5 y of age.)   My middle daughter had no desire to learn to drive; I seem to recall her getting her license when she was about 20.  (Now, she drives everywhere, with the same lead-foot quality her dad exhibits.)

My youngest (by a long shot) also was desperate for his license.  And, drove everywhere.  And, had a car when he started college- even when the school disallowed cars by freshman.

But, then, he moved to New York City.  And, sold his car.

Now, he only drives when he comes to visit his mom or dad in Virginia.  And, occasionally rents a car when he wants to vacation in the Berkshires.   He’s become a true New Yorker.

Many millennials are also eschewing getting a license.  They consider UBER or LYFT their perfect solution.

And, many of my friends have downsized and moved to the central city- and they gave up their cars. They’re just like millennials, now relying on LYFT and UBER.  I don’t know how they do it. I drive to Philly 20, 30 times a year; Manhattan about the same.  To get my fill of theater and Phillies baseball.

I can see it if you live in Manhattan, which has a great transportation system and everything is right where you want it on that tiny island.  (You do know that Manhattan is an island?)  But, if you live in LA or Long Beach- where getting anywhere requires one to travel a distance, I don’t see how you can give up the car.

To give up the car, means you are going to rely on public transit or ride-hailing.  How far one lives from a subway or metro stop will be critical.  How one will be able to go food shopping is another.  What other destinations are routine?   Are they contiguous to transit stops?  (And, how do you deal with a local Metro that shuts down 6 stations for several months- because it is so poorly maintained that reaching your destination can be a day-long process.)

If you are still working, the needs for your commute are also critical.  How long will it take for you to get to work from your home.  (See above with my questions about the DC-regional Metro system.)

Of course, how much disposable income we have is critical.  Sure, we have to pay for the car- and the fuel, maintenance, and insurance.  (The government estimates that cost to be about $ 8500 a year.  In my case, the car is fully paid, and my maintenance, fuel, and insurance come to less than $ 3K a year.)

If you are only going to use ride hailing once or twice a week (because you can ride your bike to the grocery store), then, there’s that cost to consider.   But, if you are like some of the millennials I see, then you will be spending about the same amount of cash or more when ride-hailing- in lieu of owning a car.

Then there’s your mental state.  Do you want to get to where you want to go- now?  Don’t want to wait for a ride hail in bad weather? Or, do you consider your effect on the environment more important than your need for speed?

Of course, there’s also the other factor.  How much do you love to drive?

If you are like me, giving up a car is not something that will happen unless and until I can no longer drive.

But, these are the considerations you need to address, if you are considering abandoning your car.