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Living without a Car?

By Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner

Industry Observer DRE# ER40011786

January 03, 2026 12:48 PM

As I am planning for my new life in Portugal, gas is VERY expensive. I rented a car in September, used a HALF TANK with a small car, and it was 45 EUROS, $54! WOW. I started rethinking my purchase of a car. Maybe UBER and trains? Or rent a car when I plan a driving trip. Somehow, I don't remember what the gas cost back in 2023 when I drove all over Portugal!

Working with buyers on MarketPlace I had someone ask me if I could deliver the item! WHAT??? He said his car was in the shop and would have to take the bus. We have over 3 million people, and it takes more than an hour to get from north to south. Cannot imagine living in Denver without a car. Living in NYC, I can see that!

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Kathy Streib

Cypress, TX

Retired Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Joan- it's the same here in FL. Homes with teens often have 3 or 4 cars. I can see why you might want to use Uber or rent a car when you get to Portugal.

Jan 03, 2026 03:20 PM

Joan Cox, Retired Brok...

Denver, CO

GilbertRealtor BillSalvatore

Arizona Elite Properties - Chandler, AZ

Realtor - 602-999-0952 / em: golfArizona@cox.net

Thanks for sharing, enjoy your weekend, and here's a GOOD LUCK to your favorite Football Team 🏈! Bill

Bill Salvatore / Arizona Elite Properties

Jan 04, 2026 03:47 AM

Michael Jacobs

Pasadena, CA

Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Joan - once again location - location - location seems applicable. Good luck as you adjust, adapt and accept the realities of this new adventure.

Jan 04, 2026 04:41 AM

Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner

Michael Jacobs are you walkable where you live? Do you need a car?

Jan 04, 2026 08:13 AM

Joan Cox - Southern California as well as most of the state remains auto-centric but many areas including where I live is somewhat accessible without a car. However, it is definitely not as convenient as in some other areas of the country. Again - adjusting and adapting is part of the agenda.

Jan 04, 2026 10:24 AM

Michael Jacobs I didn't know how close to a downtown area you were living. Nice to know.

Jan 04, 2026 10:27 AM

Kat Palmiotti

eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT

Helping your Montana dreams take root

If you are living somewhere where it's possible to walk to stores, restaurants, etc. then I would definitely try to do it without a car. And then just use trains/uber/etc when you need to get out of town. It would be fun (and healthy) to try that!

Jan 04, 2026 04:49 AM

Nina Hollander, Broker

Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC

Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Good morning, Joan... my recollection is that car rentals in Europe when I was travelling there on business and living there were quite expensive. I doubt the rental prices have decreased over time. And keep in mind that even if you rent a car, you'll still need to pay for gas... which has always been crazy expensive in Europe. Can't speak to Uber as they didn't exist in my days in Europe.

I lived without a car in NY City. And while I used public transportation a lot in London and Paris and in San Francisco, it was harder to live without a car.

Jan 04, 2026 05:19 AM

Nina Hollander, Broker I rented a car for a week in September, and was just over $300/week, which I may do short term. Gas is crazy expensive, and why I have to evaluate my future plans.

Jan 04, 2026 08:14 AM

Joan Cox gas has always been expensive in Europe which is one reason at one time most of the cars there were small. So if you rent, you want as efficient a car as you can get in terms of mileage. I've been driving a hybrid the last couple of years and get about 42 miles to the gallon. Electricity is also expensive. We didn't worry about it as it was paid for by Chris' company, but most of the people I knew lived in barely lit rooms. I hate living in the dark.

One of our grandsons lived for a while in Denver without a car... it was complicated to say the least.

Jan 04, 2026 10:12 AM

Michael J. Perry

Fathom Realty - Lancaster, PA

Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

We might be getting close to only having one car . For 3 years now we’ve only put 2-3,000 miles per year on our 2nd car

Jan 04, 2026 08:39 AM

Rosalind Nicholas

RE/MAX Condos Plus Corporation, Brokerage - Toronto, ON

Toronto Condo Real Estate Agent, Toronto ON

Good luck, Joan ....... with your future plans in Portugal and the decision about cars and transport.

Jan 04, 2026 09:17 AM

Carol Williams

Although I'm retired, I enjoy sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA

Author, Golfer, Traveler, Retired, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Joan,
I remember the price of gas being very expensive when we were in England many years ago. It was something like $7.50 per gallon. I think it's still about the same now. As much as you enjoy exploring, I can't imagine you without a car. I know it would be difficult for me to function (happily) without a vehicle.

Jan 05, 2026 12:33 AM

Lew Corcoran

Better Living Real Estate, LLC - East Bridgewater, MA

Expert guidance. Exceptional results.

This was such an eye opening read, Joan Cox, and it made me smile at how different daily life can feel when the cost of getting around shifts so much. Thanks for sharing these details, they paint a clear picture of what that transition might look like and why it’s worth thinking through. It’s a great reminder of how much our routines change when the landscape around us does too 🙂.

Jan 05, 2026 02:08 PM

Living without a Car?

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Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner

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