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Hooray For High Gas Prices!
Oct. 17th, 2008 01:03 pmYeah, not likely a popular blog title, but please give it a chance.
When gas prices were at their highest recently, we decided it was just far more cost effective to pay higher rent living in Plymouth and walking wherever we needed to go as much as possible. We also get the added benefit of reducing our carbon footprint and increasing our physical activity. Here we are almost four months later and I am thrilled we made the move! It's just such a stress relief and a huge boost to my sanity to feel connected to a community even just by walking through it, getting out in the fresh air more and enjoying the weather, seeing things at a slower pace and saving a bunch of money and time by not commuting. I hope more people are experiencing the same thing and enjoying it as I am. I've long said that it would take high gas prices to force Americans to change from gas-guzzling, wasteful habits to healthier, lower carbon impact habits. I know it's working out for me that way and I can't help but hope gas prices stay somewhat high or maybe even get higher.
That said, I will say there are some drawbacks. High gas prices aren't limited to cars. It also impacts planes, trains, buses and trucks, so the cost to travel long distances to visit friends and families has gone higher, making it more difficult for us and for our friends and family, and it also impacts the cost of food, heat, rent, utilities, and a host of other bills.
It is rather interesting and I also think good, though, that it's now more cost-effective for us to take a bus to visit my parents in Nashua rather than to drive down in the truck. That's one less car on the road. The bus would be making the trip regardless.
When gas prices were at their highest recently, we decided it was just far more cost effective to pay higher rent living in Plymouth and walking wherever we needed to go as much as possible. We also get the added benefit of reducing our carbon footprint and increasing our physical activity. Here we are almost four months later and I am thrilled we made the move! It's just such a stress relief and a huge boost to my sanity to feel connected to a community even just by walking through it, getting out in the fresh air more and enjoying the weather, seeing things at a slower pace and saving a bunch of money and time by not commuting. I hope more people are experiencing the same thing and enjoying it as I am. I've long said that it would take high gas prices to force Americans to change from gas-guzzling, wasteful habits to healthier, lower carbon impact habits. I know it's working out for me that way and I can't help but hope gas prices stay somewhat high or maybe even get higher.
That said, I will say there are some drawbacks. High gas prices aren't limited to cars. It also impacts planes, trains, buses and trucks, so the cost to travel long distances to visit friends and families has gone higher, making it more difficult for us and for our friends and family, and it also impacts the cost of food, heat, rent, utilities, and a host of other bills.
It is rather interesting and I also think good, though, that it's now more cost-effective for us to take a bus to visit my parents in Nashua rather than to drive down in the truck. That's one less car on the road. The bus would be making the trip regardless.
