I've heard lots of opinions and thoughts about prams, strollers, and travel systems but none from the angle we are grappling with. We are Londoners without a car and no intention of getting one. We use taxis/liveries fairly often and can't imagine not doing so. We catch buses and take the tube. We carry shopping home from the market, Homebase etc(would need a big basket/carry space... or more taxis). And now we are going to have a baby.

A travel system seems our only option if we are ever going to have a car seat when we need one. While the size of the boot isn't much of an issue, weight/maneuverability is. The options we see fitting the bill all seem to be in £500-£600 range - SCARY... but cheaper than car maintenance. However their 'market segment' seems to be status-driven not practical and we have heard many people do end up leaving these more expensive contraptions at home for a range of reasons... from clunkiness to fear of damage (esp. when flying etc).

Are there other carless urbanites out there who have grappled and overcome this issue? What have you found? Is there any chance of something approximating our current lifestyle?

And one more thing -- how long can you really use the (travel system) car seats for? And what do you do about taxis when the child outgrows them?

Thanks!

Hi Catherine
I can't drive but can use a car @ weekends. I used to live in London. My advice is use the bus! Most are now fine with buggies - get a lightweight mclaren. In a black cab, you can fit the whole thing in there. Otherwise, use a carrier, eg babybjorn for a short while. Check out also 3 wheelers that fold up and take eg maxi cosi cabrio on them - you can strip them down eg micralite easifold. They only last for about 12 months for the small seat. I did get a jane system which you can get a larger car seat for but have problems fitting the seat in a lot of cars. You are allowed to sit in the back seat without a car seat. You can find taxi firms (mini cabs) which will provide car seats. It is possible to manage - just hard work sometimes!!!

Good luck
Jan