What are your transportation needs once you’ve retired?
If you’re still in the planning phase – a.k.a. Trying to figure out when you can plan your early retirement without finding yourself out-of-pocket in your old days – getting around and going places might not be on top of your list of priorities. What matters to you, first, is to maintain your lifestyle or to create an entirely different lifestyle that might be more manageable on your retirement funds – without depriving yourself, of course.
Ultimately, whether you should get around by bus, car or bicycle might not be the kind of things you’re planning for now. However, it is an important question, and one that you should address at an early stage of your retirement plan. Why so? Because you’ll need to decide on the best means of transport for your personality, your needs and your finances. And if one thing is sure, it’s that each solution has pros and cons.
How would you rather get around?
Of course, a car means more freedom… and costs too
Indeed, you might think that owning a car in your retirement years is a good idea. But don’t make the mistake of buying an old second-hand vehicle based on the belief that you won’t be commuting anymore. While it’s true you don’t need to commute to work any longer; it doesn’t mean you won’t need to drive. Indeed, as early retirement implies, when you stop working early, you’ve got more time to enjoy your passions – that includes traveling, exploring your region or merely seeing your family more often. And there you have it; you’ll possibly be on the road more often than you are now! Consequently, you need to invest in a vehicle that can sustain your new driving needs without going overboard and spending unnecessarily. Don’t over buy more than you really need and definitely don’t under buy because it may cost more in the long run.
More driving means more maintenance.
If you don’t need to commute, the bus is okay most of the time
Taking the bus is a good compromise, especially if you live in an urban center. There is no need for a car if you can rely on public transportation to get you where you need to be. It can be very cost-effective mode of transportation in retirement. The cons of course are that sometimes our bus riding companions may be suffering from a virus and even if your ride is sniffle free, there are all the surfaces one must touch. It is important to wash and sanitize our hands when taking the bus. The obvious other downside is over crowding or missed schedules.
However, there is also another con you need to be aware of, it’s your bus driver. An inexperienced or fatigued bus driver can increase the risks of accidents significantly. Indeed, while city buses are considered safe, most companies choose not to report minor bus crashes, leading to accidents being left uninvestigated. Even jumping a curb and being bounced out of your seat or it causing a standing passenger to fall on you can cause injury. If you’re involved in a bus accident, you need legal support – more online here for an example– to make your rights respected. In short, while buses are a cost-effective solution, you might be left unprotected in case of a crash.
Nature lovers choose a bike, but you can’t live in town
The retirement transportation option for a cycling solution might be both healthy and cheap – which is ideal for small-distance journeys and new e-bikes make even longer rides more accessible for retirees – but it isn’t always the safest way to get from A to B. Indeed, almost 70% of bike crashes occur in urban areas and involve cars and other vehicles. From a parked driver accidentally opening a door on your path to a rear-end collision, cyclists can get seriously injured – if not killed – in town. Before relying on your bike as your primary choice for your transport in retirement, take a hard look at the most likely routes you will want to ride. Check for wide shoulders and better yet bike lanes that will make you ride more safe.
What is the most cost-effective and safest transportation when you decide to retire? It’s fair to say each solution has its appeal – from a car to a bike. But you need to make your final choice by comparing your financial requirements and your health factors. Failing health makes it hard to drive a car or ride a bike. Also it’s important to not forget about any other risks associated to your transportation decisions. The best solution for you depends on many criteria!