A Sustainability Crossroads: From One Car to Two

After nearly five years as a one-car family, we now have two —  and life is much easier.

In mid 2020 when mortgage rates were at a record low, remote work was the new normal and more time at home forced people to re-evaluate their living spaces, we, like many, realized we needed a change. With two energetic toddlers at home all day, one "home office” in the corner of the basement and the other tucked into a desk-sized nook in the master bedroom closet — suddenly our 1,500-square-foot house felt frustratingly crowded.

So we rode the highs and lows of selling and buying during the pandemic housing boom, packed up our stuff, sold our sedan and moved to a more sizable home on the edge of a rural college town. Our new lifestyle meant little need for a second car, and the fact that we were minimizing carbon emissions and using less fossil fuels was an added perk.

This streamlined way of life served us well. We loved the open garage space and saving money on car payments, insurance, gas and maintenance. We were encouraged to keep our one-and-only vehicle in good working order, and we learned a lot, like how to plan trips efficiently, communicate logistics effectively and stick together as a family when traveling near or far. Over time, I came to appreciate how well the choice aligned with my blossoming environmental ambitions, and I never once felt like we were sacrificing more than we could handle.

I truly loved being a one-car family.

Until one day, I had to admit that I didn’t.

The peaceful and friendly neighborhood where we live is just off the highway right outside of town, not safely walkable or bikeable to any necessities or amenities despite its proximity. When we need to leave, we have no choice but to hop in the car and go. With two growing kids, a new school year in front of us and a lineup of fall activities that have us coming and going constantly — often, in different directions — we couldn’t ignore the writing on the wall: it was time to reconsider our options. Fortunately and somewhat serendipitously, the opportunity for a second vehicle came our way at the exact right moment.

It has been a month since then, and it’s really hard to imagine how we could possibly manage otherwise.

Here is a hard truth — a reality I have mulled over time and time again: Regardless of how much we may want to make better choices for the environment, often the cards are stacked against us. Whether it’s the fast pace of modern life; higher upfront costs; unclear, incorrect or inconsistent information; limited access to the right resources or infrastructural gaps in the communities where we live — our societal norms are not always conducive to practicing healthier Earth habits. When I think about what would enable my family to continue living with only one car, there are so many factors beyond our control.

Sidewalks, a multiuse path or a pedestrian bridge connecting our neighborhood to downtown would be a great start. (And I, along with many neighbors, have written to our township trustees and city planners advocating for these possibilities.) Unfortunately, these type of projects require planning and money, and fall to the bottom of the priority list behind more pressing challenges related to the region’s steep growth and development (ironically). So it could be a while before anything happens. While we do have a local transit service, the fixed route isn’t accessible from our neighborhood. And, even if we may want to cut back on our family’s activities and commitments, it’s hard to get around the "more is better” nature of our culture — more practices, more meetings, more social obligations, more everything. I’m still working on figuring out my way along this blurry cultural line…

So for now, I have accepted that there is no better option than having two cars, and I am okay with that. Part of my experience learning to live more sustainably has been about understanding that certain systematic changes are required for true, productive waves of change. We can only do the best we can do within the means of our control. Sometimes, that means allowing ourselves permission to not make the best choice for the environment — knowing that if we could, we would. And just because we can’t make that choice today doesn’t mean there won’t be an opportunity to in the future.

Systematic change in any form sometimes feels impossible, but I can’t help but still feel optimistic about the human spirit and where it can take us when we use our critical thinking capabilities to look beyond the current moment and forward to the possibilities of tomorrow.

Doesn’t it just make sense to plan our communities in ways that encourage economic growth while supporting the environment, enhancing quality of life for the residents who live there and improving overall public health? Where less vehicles on the road is by default the new norm simply because there are more sustainable choices within reach?

I can already picture the day my family will be able to walk or bike to the farmers market just across the highway, no cars needed.

In the meantime, I think I’m really going to miss that extra garage space…

Until Next Time,

Jill Span Hofbauer