I Haven’t Owned a Car in Over Two Decades! Here’s How Living Abroad Made It Effortless!
As an expat, I’ve lived in multiple countries without ever needing a car. Here’s how I made it work, and why it might be the best reason for you to move abroad too!
Recently I was reminded of the fact that I didn’t need a car when I watched an old Albanian woman single-handedly stop traffic in Tirana with nothing but sheer audacity.
No crosswalk, no traffic light, just an unshakable belief that cars should yield to her will.
And they did.
That’s when it hit me: I hadn’t owned a car in years.
Not in Albania, not in Georgia, not in Ukraine, not in France. And yet, I was still alive.
Thriving, even.
Meanwhile, my American friends and family were trapped in a financial hostage situation with their vehicles, bleeding thousands every year on leases, gas, insurance, repairs, parking and the privilege of sitting in traffic.
The truth? Cars aren’t a necessity.
They’re an expensive habit Americans have been conditioned to believe they can’t live without.
I haven’t owned one in 26 years, and not only has it saved me a fortune, but it’s given me a level of freedom most people don’t even realize they’re missing.
That’s right! No gas, no insurance, no headaches… just freedom.
Here’s how I’ve lived in multiple countries car-free and why you might want to ditch yours too.
It might be easier than you think.
1. The American Car Culture vs. The Rest of the World
America treats car ownership like a rite of passage. You turn 16, and suddenly, your freedom is tied to a metal box that guzzles gas and drains your bank account.
But step outside the U.S., and you’ll see a different reality.
One where people move around without strapping themselves to a four-wheeled financial burden.
In Ukraine, I saw entire families function just fine without ever owning a car.
They walked, they took buses, and when they needed a car, they simply got a taxi or borrowed one.
In Tbilisi and in Kyiv, I watched locals zip around the city in marshrutkas, those slightly terrifying but incredibly efficient minibuses that operate with no apparent schedule, yet always seem to get you where you need to go.
Meanwhile, my American friends and family were spending thousands each year just to keep their cars running.
The numbers are staggering. The average American shells out over $10,000 a year on car-related expenses.
In contrast, for less than half of that, I’ve traveled through multiple countries, lived comfortably, and never once had to pay for a parking ticket.
Tell me again why car ownership is a necessity?
2. How I’ve Thrived as an Expat Without a Car
Public Transportation is Your Best Friend (Even When It’s a Bit Sketchy)
I’ve taken public transport in places where it’s smooth and seamless, like Madrid and Strasbourg, and in places where it’s… an adventure, like Albania.
I once got on a bus in Kyiv that was so packed, I was practically wearing a stranger’s coat.
But did I get to my destination for less than a dollar?
Absolutely!
Buses, subways, trams and trains in most countries are not just viable alternatives to cars, they’re often superior.
Madrid’s metro is faster than driving.
Bangkok’s skytrain lets you bypass traffic entirely.
And if you’re in a place with no decent transit?
There’s always the next best option…
Walking and Biking: Because Your Legs Work Just Fine
Living in France taught me something shocking: humans were actually designed to walk.
In cities like Strasbourg, you can get just about anywhere on foot, and after a few months of daily walking, I realized I felt better, looked better, and wasn’t constantly raging at other drivers.
Biking is another game-changer. I’ve biked through the winding streets of Dijon, dodged tourists in Avignon, and even braved the madness of French traffic in other, lesser known cities (10/10 would not recommend without nerves of steel).
Not only does it save you money, but it keeps you in shape and gives you an up-close view of the place you’re living in.
Car-Sharing and Rentals: Because Sometimes You Do Need Four Wheels
Let’s be real, there are times when having access to a car makes life easier.
Road trips, moving apartments, or grocery hauls that involve more than just a baguette and a bottle.
That’s where car-sharing apps and rentals come in.
In France, I rented a car for a weekend to explore Alsace. Cost me less than what my friends back home pay in monthly car insurance.
A fellow traveler from Germany told me about a ride-sharing app that lets him borrow a car whenever he wants without any paperwork hassles.
Having occasional access to a car without being tied to ownership?
That’s the dream.
3. The Hidden Benefits of Ditching Car Ownership as an Expat
No Dealing with Soul-Sucking Bureaucracy
Anyone who’s ever tried to register a car abroad knows it’s like attempting to decipher an ancient riddle written in bureaucratic nonsense.
Car-free living means never worrying about international driver’s licenses, emissions tests, or arguing with some government office over paperwork you didn’t know you needed.
Your Wallet Will Thank You
No gas, no repairs, no surprise tow truck bills. The money I save by not owning a car funds my travel, lets me eat at better restaurants, and means I never have to hesitate before booking a flight somewhere new.
You Actually See the Places You Live In
Sitting in a car isolates you from the world.
Walking, taking public transit, or even using a river boat taxi in Bangkok forces you to interact with your surroundings.
You overhear conversations, notice small details, and actually feel connected to the place you’re in.
That’s what living abroad is about.
4. How You Can Live Car-Free as an Expat (Or Even at Home)
Start Small: Ditch Your Car for a Month and See What Happens*
Want to test the waters? Challenge yourself to go one month without driving.
Use public transport, walk more, and see if you actually miss the daily stress of traffic and parking.
Newsflash! You won’t.
Best Places to Go Car-Free
If you’re thinking about moving abroad but dread the idea of being shackled to a car, you’ll want to be strategic about where you settle.
Look for cities with solid public transport, think metros, trams, and buses that actually show up on time.
If big-city life isn’t your thing, aim for a smaller town that’s walkable but still well-connected.
The key?
Make sure there’s a train or bus network that lets you reach larger cities without feeling like you’re stranded in the middle of nowhere.
Because trust me, nothing kills the thrill of adventure faster than realizing you need a car just to grab a coffee.
Madrid, Tbilisi, and Bangkok all make it easy to live without a car.
Even smaller cities like Kraków and Strasbourg have solid alternatives that make car ownership unnecessary.
Overcoming the “But What If” Fears
- “But what if I need to move heavy stuff?” Delivery services and movers exist for a reason.
- “But what if I have an emergency?” Rideshare apps are everywhere.
- “But what if I just like driving?” Rent a car for a weekend and get it out of your system.
5. Are You Ready to Rethink Car Ownership?
I haven’t owned a car in 26 years, and I’ve lived a fuller, freer, and richer life because of it.
No parking fees, no car insurance, car payments or monthly leases, maintenance, oil changes and filling up the gas tank, traffic headaches, no wasted money on something that spends most of its existence sitting in a driveway.
Oh, and if you’re thinking of heading out to a nice restaurant or bar for a few drinks, no problem!
You can actually go out and relax without worrying about putting other people’s lives at risk or racking up a DUI just for daring to enjoy a couple of glasses of wine or a few cocktails.
Because in the U.S., the mere act of having a drink before driving home can feel like rolling the dice with your future, your finances, and possibly your freedom.
Maybe you’re not ready to abandon your car just yet. And hey, maybe you don’t have to.
- But what if you asked yourself, do I really need it?
- What if you ditched it, even for just a little while, just to see?
You might be shocked at how much simpler, cheaper, and yes… liberating life can be without one.
Could you give up your car?
Have you ever tried it?
David Peluchette is a Premium Ghostwriter/Travel and Tech Enthusiast. When David isn’t writing he enjoys traveling, learning new languages, fitness, hiking and going on long walks (did the 550 mile Camino de Santiago, not once but twice!), cooking, eating, reading and building niche websites with WordPress.