Car Repair Skills Everyone Should Have

[Josquius]

but....I hope when I have kids I won't have to have a car so this won't be necessary.

What's wrong with hoping I have a good enough job that I don't need a car by the time I have a family?

[Monoriu]

But you probably paid through the nose, and there are parts of Europe you can't be sure one is available. And many parts of the world you can be sure one isn't available.

I have driven a car in Europe exactly once in my life (for like a bit more than a week), and I probably won't do it very often in the future.  I am not going to spend the time and money to learn *and* maintain a skill that is otherwise useless.  I find it troublesome enough to have to choose among P, R and D already.  I'm going to absolutely hate manual transmission. 

[Grey Fox]

but....I hope when I have kids I won't have to have a car so this won't be necessary.

What's wrong with hoping I have a good enough job that I don't need a car by the time I have a family?

You are going to need a car regardless of your job status or income.

[Josquius]

You are going to need a car regardless of your job status or income.

Loads of people don't have cars.

[Grey Fox]

You are going to need a car regardless of your job status or income.

Loads of people don't have cars.

with small children?

Just be clear, there is difference between not owning a car but using car share services vs not having a license. I'm reading your statement has a no license proclamation.

[Malthus]

What's wrong with hoping I have a good enough job that I don't need a car by the time I have a family?

I don't understand. Why would having a good job not necessitate a car?

If you have kids, the desire (if not need) for car transport multiplies. Daycare, visits to the doctor, buying supplies, visits to various grandparents, taking the kid to various events, etc. etc.

It is a lot easier for a single guy to get around by bike and public transport. Doing so with a young kid (let alone two or three!) in tow gets old fast.

[Monoriu]

You are going to need a car regardless of your job status or income.

It depends.  In places like HK or Tokyo, it really isn't necessary to have a car. 

[garbon]

You are going to need a car regardless of your job status or income.

Loads of people don't have cars.

with small children?

Just be clear, there is difference between not owning a car but using car share services vs not having a license. I'm reading your statement has a no license proclamation.

I guess he plans to live in The Other City (London).

[Josquius]

I don't understand. Why would having a good job not necessitate a car?

.

If you have a good job then you can live somewhere a car is an optional luxury rather than a necessity (thinking of a truly good job that ticks all the boxes here, not a job that is otherwise good but in the middle of nowhere).

with small children?

Just be clear, there is difference between not owning a car but using car share services vs not having a license. I'm reading your statement has a no license proclamation.

I have a license.
And yes, lots of people with kids don't have cars. I recall reading car ownership peaked in the 90s.
Kids were totally irrelevant to my statement really. The opening post however talked of teaching stuff to your kids so I said I hope I have my shit enough in order that I don't need a car by the time I have to worry about spawn.

[Malthus]

You are going to need a car regardless of your job status or income.

It depends.  In places like HK or Tokyo, it really isn't necessary to have a car.

His post was specific to raising a family.

Raising a family in the middle of a huge city where having a car isn't all that practical unless you are wealthy would I think be very tough. Doable of course, but not easy.

One thing non-parents don't realize is how often young children create emergencies requiring rapid transport - Have more than one kid, and your difficulties would more than double, I think.

I can't imagine trying to corral a kid who is walking (but not yet knowlegable enough to be totally obedient) through the crowded steets and subways of a place like downtown London or New York. That would be a serious ordeal.

[The Brain]

Leash.

[Monoriu]

I can't imagine trying to corral a kid who is walking (but not yet knowlegable enough to be totally obedient) through the crowded steets and subways of a place like downtown London or New York. That would be a serious ordeal.

Taxi.

[Malthus]

And yes, lots of people with kids don't have cars. I recall reading car ownership peaked in the 90s.

Heh. Just because lots of people do it, doesn't mean it is easy. Being a parent is tough enough, without limiting yourself to walking and public transport. 

[The Brain]

I am shocked that he wants his kids to be known as weirdos.

[Malthus]

I can't imagine trying to corral a kid who is walking (but not yet knowlegable enough to be totally obedient) through the crowded steets and subways of a place like downtown London or New York. That would be a serious ordeal.

Taxi.

Difficult with young children here. By law, you are supposed to be using installed child carriers for toddlers, and taxis don't come with them. It takes a while to install your own and adjust it properly.