Those who didn't drive and now do...do you socialise more?

[rwhite]

I don't drive, but should really, I've just been lazy plus am not very confident on the road. I am only on my learners but will hopefully be having some more practice driving soon. Anyway!

I often get invited to things but because they are a hassle to get to via buses/trains I won't end up going because it is just too difficult to get there and back. And I often want to go places like the mall but can't be arsed getting on the train and wish I could just drive down there - think I'd go much more often if I was driving.

Those of you who as adults have been non-drivers and have since started driving, I was just wondering if you venture out a lot more and to places you wouldn't have bothered to get out to otherwise? Thanks

 

[little_lissy]

Well I'm only seventeen so I only learnt when I could but it has given me so much freedom you wouldn't believe it- not just for socialising but it's easier for me to get to work and to get and about to do shopping etc.

Well worth the money!

 

[Midnight_Fairy]

YES! It also means I can visit friends for a cup of tea and still have a day left. Before it would have taken hours just because of getting there/back. I have so much more time now and its much easier. I do see more people x

 

[bumblebeexo]

Yes! I passed when I was 17 and it made such a difference. No more having to get buses, more freedom, easier to go to friends houses..
I can't imagine not having a licence with LO, but we live in the country with crap bus times so it's a lot different for us than those who live in towns etc. We go to baby groups, meet up with friends.. All of which I couldn't really do without my car (baby group is at 10, bus would get me in an hour before! And then I'd have to wait another hour for a bus home!)
Get your licence if you can, it will make a big difference

 

[Mummy Bean]

i been driving for 3 years now, and honestly dont know what i did before.

i have to get a bus and 2 trains to work, so in my free time i refuse to use public transport as much as possible.

i makes a hour trip by bus to my parents take 5 min so can go for a cuppa. and makes things so much easier with a LO, dont have to worry abut weather, or if thre space on the bus ect

 

[baby_mama87]

Yes definitely, I dont know how I used to live without a car the only downfall is I used to be thinner from all the walking now I use my car everywhere apart from taking out the dog! oops

xx

 

[embo216]

Very much so! I passed 2 years ago at 24 and it opened up a whole new world to me

 

[special_kala]

I go out the same but it is so much easier. A trip to see a friend takes 10 minutes in the car rather then 1 hour on the bus.

I have only been driving 6 weeks (am 24) and its made a huge difference

 

[Lynzeigh]

I definitely socialize more since driving when it comes to visiting friends and family. I do however see less of the people I used to bump into on foot! Shopping is definitely a lot easier, so much so that instead of doing one big shop, I can do small bits a few times a week.

Generally though I see more people on the whole and go to places that usually I would not bother with!

Since my son was born I use the car a bit less as when alone I was getting lazy and driving EVERYWHERE! With the pram I make more effort to walk especially as everyday we walk to 1 baby group each day to get out of the house. So lately I have being socializing equally on foot and in car, the best of both worlds thanks to my son

 

[rwhite]

Thanks everyone for your answers, it's made me even more determined to get off my chuff and just do it!

Not to mention that I have to pick Lachlan up in the evenings and it's a 20 min walk home. It's not that I mind it so much, it's just that when the weather is crap I get really anxious and hate walking him home when it's peeing down (and he fights when I put the rain cover on the pram). That and he'll be too big to go in a buggy soon enough!

baby_mama - I know I'm going to gain so much weight with not walking places I already have since I moved in with OH (he drives and is going to take me out to get my confidence up). Oh well hopefully with not walking Lachlan home I will have the energy (and the time) to exercise when I get in

 

[Tegans Mama]

I passed my test two and a half years ago and it's made my life a LOT easier. The best thing is for hospital appointments and when Tegan is in hospital it means I can come home etc. We see family a LOT more than we did before I started driving, but we also moved closer to family just after I passed.

 

[Midnight_Fairy]

Yeh its nice to pop to my mums after school etc we couldn't do that before as would take too long!

 

[rwhite]

I'm so looking forward to stuff like that. even stuff like popping down to the supermarket!

Lea - do you have a van so you can fit Tegan's wheelchair in?

 

[sapphire1]

It makes life so much easier! My car has been knackered for the past 2 weeks and It's been a nightmare. I live in a city centre so walk a lot, but I have friends that live further out. The buses here are really expensive and it's actually a lot cheaper to drive! It's also great to be able to drive in case of emergencies - I needed to take Holly to A&E a few weeks back, and it was good to just jump in the car and go there. I think it's the thing I'm most glad I did, I was 26 when I learned and only did so because I was moving out of London and was worried about public transport.

 

[Tegans Mama]

I'm so looking forward to stuff like that. even stuff like popping down to the supermarket!

Lea - do you have a van so you can fit Tegan's wheelchair in?

Nope! At the minute we have a Fiesta which is too small for us now so we're getting a bigger car in May. Tegan uses a carseat and we put her chair in the boots

 

[Eala]

I passed my test about 8 weeks before I had Roo, and I am SO glad that I did. Public transport was fine when I didn't have her, but driving let me have a lot more freedom. There were baby classes I went to which I'd have found a real hassle if I hadn't had the car.

I agree with a PP poster though that it's really easy to let it make you lazy

 

[dani_tinks]

I can't remember the last time I used public transport. Driving really does make life a whole of a lot easier. I've just thought, i've literally been out everyday this week thanks to my car.. though I am looking forward to a day in tomorrow! (hopefully lol)

 

[Midnight_Fairy]

I wouldnt get half the stuff done if I didnt drive, x

 

[rwhite]

I'm so looking forward to stuff like that. even stuff like popping down to the supermarket!

Lea - do you have a van so you can fit Tegan's wheelchair in?

Nope! At the minute we have a Fiesta which is too small for us now so we're getting a bigger car in May. Tegan uses a carseat and we put her chair in the boots

Ohh I like Fiestas Cool, just me being nosy really

 

[rwhite]

Being sat on the bus on the way home yesterday behind a man with noxious BO has made me look forward to driving even more I don't think I'll miss things like that