Moving to the city? Here’s why ditching your old car makes sense

You’re about to start a new chapter, packing boxes, securing your lease, maybe saying goodbye to that suburban commute. If you’re headed for city life, there’s one question you might not have considered: Do you still need a car? Spoiler alert: in many urban settings, the answer is “not necessarily, and giving up that old car might make a lot more sense than you think.”

Why a car feels less essential in city life

When you move into the heart of a city, several things change. Parking becomes a hassle, insurance and registration fees stay the same, but your usage drops. That adds up. Studies show that ditching car ownership in dense urban areas not only reduces stress but can cut costs significantly. One recent piece found that living in a city with robust transit and walkability helps people save thousands of dollars, and even improve their overall wellbeing.

Another analysis found that renters in major U.S. cities who gave up their car and switched to public transit could save over $7,000 per year in commute and ownership costs.

So if you’re moving to a place where walking, biking, transit or rideshare can cover most of your needs, that car in the driveway suddenly looks like a financial burden.

The hidden costs of keeping your car in the city

Even before you drive anywhere, owning a car in a city comes with costs that sneak up:

• Parking fees and permits: Monthly garage or street permit costs can easily exceed $200.
• Insurance and registration: Rates often stay high regardless of driving frequency.
• Maintenance and depreciation: A car sits in stop-and-go traffic or idles more than ever.

Opportunity cost: Money tied up in a car could be used for your new city home, savings, or experiences.

How your old car can still work for you

Here’s the twist: ditching your car doesn’t mean abandoning it. That “old” vehicle still has value. You can turn it into cash, even if it’s not running, by letting someone else take over the burden. That’s where Peddle comes in.

Signs your car no longer fits city life

If you're nodding along to these, it might be time:

• You drive it fewer than 5,000 miles a year.
• You spend more time just staring at the meter than driving.
• Garage or street parking costs nearly as much as the car is worth.
• You’d use transit or rideshare 80% of the time anyway.
• You’re renting in the city and trying to reduce the budget burden.

Why Peddle is your smart exit

If you’re ready to move on, Peddle makes selling your old car fast and simple. We take cars in any condition, running or not, good shape or beat-up. No listing hassles, no “maybe I’ll but maybe I won’t” buyers, no time wasted. Just get an instant offer, schedule free pickup, and get paid when the car’s gone.

Moving to the city opens you up to a whole new kind of freedom, not just from commutes, but from car-ownership costs. If your old car is hanging around more than it’s helping, now might be the time to let it go. With Peddle, you can make the transition smooth and financially smart!