For the first time in my driving history, I am carless ¹.

When I left Michigan, I gave Grover, my trusty Hyundai Sonata (blue) to my brother. His lease was expiring and I fully intended to get a new green, manual-transmission Hyundai Sonata, and name it Oscar.

First my rational for not getting a car was “I’m going to start work first.” Then, “I’m going to find an apartment first.” Then, “I’m going to wait until my parents come to help.” By that point, I was five weeks into my Seattle career.  Since I was already five weeks in, and I’m only here for two years, I was basically already 5% through my Seattle life. If I made it 5% of the time without a car, could I make it the whole time?

Then, I realized this was even easier if I joined ZipCar.

But, there are a few times one might want a car, but here there seem to be solutions around them:

1. Commuting- Microsoft runs “Connector” shuttles that conveniently drive you to and from work. If you miss those, the public 545 bus does the same thing.  The only problem is when I don’t leave work until late, and then keep procrastinating going home. Since I have an office this isn’t actually a big deal.
2. Going to the East Side on weekends- I would never do this. I like hanging out in the city better. Invalid scenario. (Ok, and if I really had to, there are buses).
3. Driving within Seattle- the buses are awesome. I don’t have to worry about parking. It’s great.
4. Shopping- Zipcar!
5. Trips- Luckily, my friends have cars. If we want to go anywhere far away we can. Like how we’re going to Ikea later!!!!!

So,  procrastination has resulted in a situation I never thought would happen.  Sometimes I miss driving because I like the act of driving, but I haven’t actually needed a car for transportation.

¹ Well, that isn’t strictly true. My first semester at Olin College I was carless. The first two months I was too excited about being at Olin to want to go anywhere. After that it was approximately like torture. My very friendly parents delivered my car shortly thereafter. Anyway, since then, I’ve always had my trusty car.