I Don’t Need a Car When I’m Living In Spain
An Old Lady’s Deep Thoughts #9
Once upon a time, when I was living everywhere but nowhere, I discovered Spain and instantly fell in love. Spain life aligns with much of my value system. So, when I finally moved back to the States to be near family, I kept an apartment in Spain where I spend a few months every year. It’s my second home.
I’ve been returning for almost 20 years.
One thing I really miss about living in Spain is the walkability of its cities. You don’t need a car. Neighborhoods are set up so that even a senior citizen can get around on foot easily. That means groceries, banking, restaurants, coffee shops — you name it — are accessible on foot. If you need to go a bit farther, taxis and buses are very affordable. And don’t forget the high-speed trains. You really don’t need a car. I’ve been living part-time in Spain for almost 20 years, and I’ve not once rented a car.
Do you know how much money that saves me?
Now, I’ll admit, I’m a frugal old lady who’s always looking to save a dime, but honestly, I’m far more suited for a Spanish budget than the American wasteful and inconvenient way of life. And here’s another bonus: I get my exercise every day — not by going to the gym or setting aside a time slot to go for a run in the park, but by just taking care of business. Walking to the fruit market or the drug store in the morning and then walking to the coffee shop to meet a few friends in the afternoon.
See what I mean?
I live in a country that insists it’s the best in the world. Many of my friends don’t even own a passport. They’ve never compared life elsewhere to the lifestyle they inherited by the sheer lottery of birth, so they think they have little to nothing to learn from any other country in the world. But I’ve lived everywhere but nowhere. I’ve experienced the difference as an untourist and learned about a host of different ways to do things. Rather than feeling threatened by the fact that other countries could teach us a thing or two, I’m profoundly encouraged that there’s more than one way to solve a problem. The more ideas, the better, as far as I’m concerned.
Diversity makes this big, beautiful planet what it is — an amazing place where the sky’s the limit.
Oh well, back to living in a walkable city. I always look forward to parking my car in our garage for a couple of months every year and returning to Spain. It saves my car from racking up too many miles each year, which means I might not be forced to buy a new car anytime soon. By the way, we only have one car — a used one that we paid cash for and intend to drive into the ground.
Every year, I pack a small bag and head to my home away from home.
Soon, I get back into my other lifestyle, the one I actually prefer, and set about leading my best life for a few months. That means no car and daily walking to get what I need. Oh, and I know people in town. No matter where I go on foot, I’m greeted by lots of familiar faces.
C’mon! You’ve got to admit it sounds pretty nice, almost like a dream life.
Teresa is an author and professional myth buster. You can find her books on Amazon.
