Everyday, all around the world, millions of people are commuting to get to work and school —spending endless hours in traffic, on public trans, or in the back of an Uber ride. Wouldn’t you think in 2017 we’d have high speed trains and teleportation capabilities? Not quite yet. For now, we’re stuck traveling under or on the ground to get to wherever we’re going. No matter what your commuting method, transportation has been recognized as the second highest expense for American Households, according to Smart Growth America. Here are a few things to analyze before you make the decision on what type of commuting method is best for you.
How long is your commute?
Determine how many miles your commute is. That way you can effectively decide which mode of transportation makes sense for you. If it’s not that far, you may even consider biking —which could even help you shed off unwanted pounds.
What is the public transportation situation?
If it’s not easy for you to get to a bus or train station, then maybe this isn’t the right option for you. Take a look to see how long it will take you to get there and how efficient public transportation is in your city. For example, New Yorkers have great options to travel via subway or bus, while someone in Raleigh, NC has fewer public transit opportunities.
What is parking like at your apartment complex?
This question really affects your decision to whether to just ditch the car completely. Do you have a spot reserved? Is it street or covered? How much will it cost? Will your car be safe in the area?
Do you live in a good “Uber city”?
There are several factors that determine how Uber-friendly your city is including general infrastructure, availability of drivers, weather and Uber’s algorithms. Do a little research to see what Uber looks like in your area. Check out this ForRent.com article that dives into the top 5 cities for Uber, just to give you an idea.
Answering some of these questions is a great place to start when figuring out your commuting needs. Often, the best thing can really just be what makes the most sense. A lot of this really depends on where you live. Check out this breakdown of the costs and situations related to each method, to help you make an even more informed decision.
Driving your car:
Depending on how far and when you’re traveling, you can spend a lot of time sitting in traffic during rush hour. That means that you’re spending a lot on gas, even if you’re sitting in one spot. Gas is averaging about $2 a gallon right now, and can be more depending on where you live. Other expenses you have to worry about are tolls, parking, car maintenance, and insurance (just to names a few). That being said, many people live in a place where driving really does make the most sense, when ridesharing costs are high and public trans is scarce.
Public transportation:
Most larger cities have really efficient public transportation that can be very inexpensive. But is really does depend on your city. In some metro areas, your costs change depending on how far you’re going or when you’re traveling. Also, there are some interesting benefits to using public trans like being able to get work done during your commute and meeting new people. If you live in a city with a good bus, rail or ferry system, this can be a really affordable option.
Ride sharing:
Using Uber or other ridesharing apps, are great in cities where public trans is ineffective and car culture is huge. Another thing that helps cuts cost with Uber is ridesharing. If you leave a little extra time, you can use the Uber Pool feature and pick up multiple riders on your root —thus cutting costs. In the morning you may be in a rush, but at the end of the day it’s a great way to save.
Tweet ThisRiding your bike:
If you live close to work, this is a really cost effective option for commuting. You’ll just need to make sure to lock up your bike and watch out for icy conditions! Not the best in the winter, but commuting via bike is a great way to stay in shape during the warmer months.
How do you commute to work or school? Let us know in the comments below!
The post Car Ownership VS. Uber appeared first on Apartment Living Blog.
from Apartment Living Blog https://www.forrent.com/blog/apt_life/car-ownership-vs-uber/
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