Meghan
Perrier doesn’t own a car and doesn’t want to, either. When she moved
to Somerville last December, she was surprised by how easy it was to
live without one.

“I had so many different options for travel,” she says. "People think it’s really difficult but I think it’s easier.” Since
moving to Somerville, Meghan has been working as a teacher and camp
counselor. It was a big decision to give up her car but she has no
regrets. “The other day a woman was late to pick up her kids
because her car had been stolen. I think if I had a car I’d be worrying
about it constantly. I’m glad I don’t have one.” "So what?"
you say, "Anyone could survive in Somerville without a car"? But Meghan
doesn’t just stick to the city. She likes to visit new places on
weekends. Maine, Vermont, and Cape Cod are some of the places she has
traveled, no car necessary. “It’s funny,” she remarks, “You’d
think being from Vermont that I wouldn’t have a car for environmental
reasons. That is a nice benefit for me, but really it’s just so much
easier and less expensive to live without a car.” She laughs. “I guess
that’s the way it is for people a lot of times. We’re very selfish.” Besides
not worrying about her car being stolen or damaged Meghan is also happy
she doesn’t have to pay for car insurance, gas, and especially parking.
“I have friends who are always waking up thinking, is it the
third Tuesday of the month? Where’s my car? And rushing out to move it
before they get a ticket. I just pay my 60 dollars a month for a T
pass.” Meghan’s primary modes of transportation are the bus, the train,
and her own two feet. “There’ll be times when cars speed past
me while I’m walking,” she confides with a smile, “but most of the time
there’s traffic and I’ll pass them and think, I’m going to get their
faster than you.”

By Paige Doughty