As a Transportation Planner at the Grand Valley Metropolitan Council (GVMC), I manage the Transportation Demand Management (TDM) program. GVMC is the regional transportation planning organization for the greater Grand Rapids area. Through TDM, we help people find transportation options that make it easier to get around without relying on a personal vehicle.
I've lived without a car during two different periods of my life, first for four years, and now again for the past three years. Both times, it began when my car broke down, and I couldn't afford to fix it. What I expected to be a temporary solution turned into a lifestyle I truly enjoyed. I feel more connected to my community, and my commute has become a chance to slow down, clear my head, and transition between work and home.
I was definitely nervous at first. I wondered how I would get to work and school on time with a longer commute, especially since I've never been much of a morning person. I also worried about getting to appointments, running errands, or reaching places that aren't served by transit or don't have safe walking or biking infrastructure. Those concerns were very real, but I found routines and solutions that made living without a car easier than I expected.
What a Typical Week Looks Like
I currently live about 2.5 miles from work. If the weather is nice out, I enjoy walking, which takes about 45 minutes, or biking, which gets me there in around 15 minutes. If it's raining, snowing, or I want a more relaxed commute, I'll take The Rapid, which usually takes about 30 minutes. The way I get to work often depends on what the rest of my day looks like. If I have plans after work and need to get home more quickly, I'll bike. But if it's a hot summer day, I'll often walk or take the bus instead because there's a big hill on my ride home that I'd rather not bike up in the heat!
For groceries, if I only need a few things, I'm lucky to have a small corner store a five-minute walk from my apartment for the essentials. When I need to do a bigger grocery trip, I'll take the DASH or The Rapid to a grocery store. It does take a little more planning than driving, but I've gotten used to it, and it's become a normal part of my routine.
If I'm meeting friends for dinner, going to a show, or going out to a bar, I usually walk or bike. Most of the places I go to are close by, and I know I'll probably be out later than the buses run. If the weather is really bad or I'm going somewhere farther away, I'll use Uber or Lyft instead.
The Trade-Offs
Of course, there are definitely challenges to living car-free. One experience that really stands out happened during a big snowstorm last winter. I decided to take the bus to work because I didn't want to walk in the snow. The bus kept getting delayed, and the app kept saying it was “arriving in 5 minutes.” After waiting at the bus stop for about 45 minutes, I finally realized it wasn't coming anytime soon and started walking instead. It was frustrating because if I had just walked from the beginning, I would have already been at work.
Situations like that don't happen often, but they've taught me to be flexible and always have a backup plan. I try to keep an umbrella in my bag, and during the winter I always bring an extra pair of socks and a scarf just in case.
Another challenge is the bus schedule. If I miss the bus, the gap until the next one can be long enough that I'm either late to work or end up spending money on an Uber or Lyft. That's probably one of the biggest downsides of relying on public transit.
Giving up a car meant giving up the convenience of going wherever I wanted, whenever I wanted. But in return, I gained a greater appreciation for the city I live in. Financially, it's also been worth it. Without a monthly payment or unexpected repair bills, I've been able to save more of my income for other things that matter to me.
The Surprises
One thing I didn't expect was how much I would enjoy having time to myself during my commute. When I'm on the bus, I can read a book, knit, or listen to music. Instead of focusing on driving and traffic, I get some time to relax before I start my day or head home from work. It's become something I actually look forward to.
I also didn't expect to feel as close to my neighborhood as I do now. Walking and biking mean I notice things I used to drive past. I've found local businesses I probably wouldn't have stopped at otherwise, and I recognize people I see regularly on my commute. It makes the city feel a little smaller in a good way.
That said, I do sometimes miss the convenience of having a car. There are days when I wish I could decide at the last minute to go somewhere without checking a bus schedule or thinking about how I'll get home. Running several errands in one trip is definitely easier with a car, and I still have those moments, even after years of living without one.
Advice for Someone Curious but Skeptical
If you're interested in driving less, I'd suggest starting small instead of trying to change everything at once. Pick one low-stakes trip you make, like going to the coffee shop or meeting a friend for dinner, and try doing it a different way. That gives you a chance to figure out what works without the pressure of being late to work or an appointment if something doesn't go as planned while you're still figuring it out.
It also helps to plan ahead, especially at first. I usually check the Transit app before I head out to see where my bus is, and I always try to leave myself a few extra minutes just in case. Once you've done it a few times, it becomes part of your routine, and you don't have to think about it as much.
I also know that my experience won't be the same as everyone else's. Not everyone has access to public transit, and some people need to drive because of where they live, the type of job they have, or family and mobility needs. I don't think going completely car-free is realistic for everyone, and that's okay. Even trying a different way to get around every once in a while can help you figure out what works best for your own routine.
It’s All About Options
While my experience won't look exactly like everyone else's, I hope it shows that there are more transportation options than many people realize. Whether you choose to walk, bike, take transit, carpool, or simply leave your car at home once in a while, every trip taken another way helps create a transportation system that's more connected, affordable, and sustainable for our region.
And that’s really what the Your Move! campaign is all about: making it easier for people across the Grand Rapids region to explore their transportation options and decide what works best for each trip.
If you're interested in exploring your transportation options, check out the resources available across this website. You don't have to make the same choices I do, but you might find another option that fits into your routine better than you expected. And if you’d like to share your own transportation story, please send us an email! We’d love to add you to this ongoing series of first-person experiences.