Location, Location, Location: The First Step Toward a Greener Commute

Written by Realty Times Staff Posted On Wednesday, 28 February 2018 13:12

If you are moving to a new area and live an environmentally friendly lifestyle, you may wonder how to combine your long-time commitment to your green commute with the road rules and layout of your new city and state. The first step toward putting your green-focused driving philosophy into action in your new hometown is getting to know the local road rules and customs. While you may feel like you are sacrificing your core beliefs for a few weeks, you will probably find that the confidence and knowledge you gain will only help you learn more about the local eco-friendly commuter vibe in a natural way.

Try following four steps to road and driving awareness in your new locale to see if helps you feel more at home and ready to find the greenest routes around:

1. Research, Learn and Apply Your New State's Driving Safety Laws

Each state features its own driving safety laws that are important for you to learn. While you could visit your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website or give them a call to request information by mail, you may find more informative and interactive manuals and practice tests to learn about your new city's unique road rules. Practice DMV tests let you prepare for new your new state, covering the following:

  • Standard, non-commercial driver's practice tests for automobiles
  • Motorcyclists' practice tests
  • CDL practice tests

These practice tests can give you invaluable insights into the driving laws and atmosphere of your new city before you arrive.

2. Explore Your New City to Get Better Acquainted

Before you start trying to find the track down the best route featuring a carpool lane, give yourself a chance to get out there and explore the city for yourself. Let your green guard down for a few weeks to see the sights and pick up on the eco-consciousness of the city organically. Plot out a few destinations to help you get to know the region better, including spots like the following:

  • The local parks for yourself and for your dog.
  • The best cafés that feature friendly baristas and cozy spots to read.
  • The city's museum, aquarium or zoo.
3. Check Message Boards and Social Media Groups

You've heard people talk about the culture — or even style or personality — of drivers and driving in cities like Boston, New York and San Francisco. Many smaller towns across the country have built their own reputations, good and bad, so take the time to see what your fellow online residents are saying about the driving climate in your new hometown.

4. Ask Around for Local Driving Culture Advice

Don't be afraid to ask your new co-workers, fellow gym members, kindred dog lovers at the dog park and anyone else you run into about the local car culture and the attitude toward green commuting. They can probably give you a pretty good idea of the city's overall attitude toward cars and driving, as opposed to focusing on public transportation or ride sharing. As a bonus, these interactions may lead to meeting fellow environmentalists or just making new friends.

Hopefully, these ideas will help you find the most efficient routes to and from work, the best approach to finding carpool candidates or the safest bike routes so you can resume your ecological practices once settling into your new home.

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