A car is often essential in the US but while owning a vehicle is better than not for life satisfaction, a study has found, having to drive too much sends happiness plummeting
This is so true! I was telling my family about that a few years ago when I was living in a semi-walkable place, and then they started grilling me about how long it takes me to do things. I had to concede that it does take longer to walk in some cases than drive, BUT the travel to and from is actually nice, and I look forward to the walk as time for looking around and enjoying my time. They didn’t understand, but they also will get in their car to drive a mile, so…
It’s also a lot easier to stop and do something fun when you’re walking. Pop in a new shop, take a detour through a park, whatever. Usually when you’re driving you’re going too fast to really take in what’s around, and stopping is often a whole ordeal of finding parking.
“Death and Life of Great American Cities” talked about this. It’s old, but still an interesting read.
This is so true! I was telling my family about that a few years ago when I was living in a semi-walkable place, and then they started grilling me about how long it takes me to do things. I had to concede that it does take longer to walk in some cases than drive, BUT the travel to and from is actually nice, and I look forward to the walk as time for looking around and enjoying my time. They didn’t understand, but they also will get in their car to drive a mile, so…
It’s also a lot easier to stop and do something fun when you’re walking. Pop in a new shop, take a detour through a park, whatever. Usually when you’re driving you’re going too fast to really take in what’s around, and stopping is often a whole ordeal of finding parking.
“Death and Life of Great American Cities” talked about this. It’s old, but still an interesting read.