Fuel Economy

[TLyttle]

bkrownd has it right. I moved here to retire, less than a mile from "town". When I lived in the Big City, I made sure that I was within biking distance of my job, and only drove my vehicle if I needed it to transport goods. Now, my vehicle stays home unless the weather is simply too stupid, or if I must travel to the Big City (some things cannot be managed locally). For a short time, I was an hour's commute from home, so I spent all my off-hours looking for a job close by. Not many people see this approach as "possible": nothing could be further from the truth.

In fact, none of this is new. 100+ years ago, one worked on the property, or rented a minimal apartment near their jobsite where the wage-earner stayed all week, commuting (by train, usually) home for the weekend. No, no, now we have the automobile so that we can spend 2, 3, 4, hours A DAY in that tin box, commuting. What an outrageous waste of one's life!!!

[nmgolfer]

Originally Posted by TLyttle

bkrownd has it right. I moved here to retire, less than a mile from "town". When I lived in the Big City, I made sure that I was within biking distance of my job, and only drove my vehicle if I needed it to transport goods. Now, my vehicle stays home unless the weather is simply too stupid, or if I must travel to the Big City (some things cannot be managed locally). For a short time, I was an hour's commute from home, so I spent all my off-hours looking for a job close by. Not many people see this approach as "possible": nothing could be further from the truth.

In fact, none of this is new. 100+ years ago, one worked on the property, or rented a minimal apartment near their jobsite where the wage-earner stayed all week, commuting (by train, usually) home for the weekend. No, no, now we have the automobile so that we can spend 2, 3, 4, hours A DAY in that tin box, commuting. What an outrageous waste of one's life!!!

BC, not even Vancouver, has nothing like the war zones (i.e. affordable housing districts) which define America's major (and even not so major) inner cities. Its easy for a Cannuk to tell someone else where they should live (as long as it NIMBY).

If America were serious about ending dependence on foriegn oil (its not) ... If America were serious about ending long commutes which epitomize the American way of life (especially the western states), then America would solve the problems in the inner cities. Our dysfunctional government lacks commitment to tackling ANY of these supposed concerns. (Because they are somebody else's problems)

[TLyttle]

nmgolfer's idea that Canucks have a free ride as far as commuting is concerned isn't quite right. We DO have high-traffic areas, not as many as the US, but they are there, as are the commute time numbers. If I was forced to give away 3 hours of my life EVERY DAY to commuting, it simply would not happen. Going to where the "work" is becomes a lame excuse IMHO. I would rather "learn" to shovel manure on a local farm than give away such a large part of my day!

Everyone looks at their "investment" in education, and how it would be a waste if not used. Not true. The waste is in throwing away 3 eight-hour days per week to commuting. Why is it so hard for people to recognise why they are here? Is it to jeopardise one's life in the daily suicide race? Gee, I don't think so...

[KrazyDawg]

Originally Posted by TLyttle

Everyone looks at their "investment" in education, and how it would be a waste if not used. Not true. The waste is in throwing away 3 eight-hour days per week to commuting. Why is it so hard for people to recognise why they are here? Is it to jeopardise one's life in the daily suicide race? Gee, I don't think so...

That's what I'm doing right now. Commuting 135 miles a day which takes over 3 hours. I'm working full-time while attending school full-time and also supporting a family.