How One Cristalina PARC Resident Gave Up Her Car – And Gained More Freedom

Maintaining a sense of independence is a core value at PARC – many residents, like Nancy at Cristalina PARC, move in with full, active lives that require getting around in their community and beyond.

Our goal is to support that independence in ways that meet their needs – including transportation. 

For Nancy, who moved to Cristalina in the summer of 2024, getting around had always meant owning a car. But when her insurance renewal approached – along with the growing cost of maintenance and seasonal upkeep – she paused to consider whether owning a vehicle still made sense. 

Instead of automatically renewing her insurance, Nancy decided to try using the Modo Car Share available at Cristalina PARC. Modo enables members to book a car via an app, and pay only for the time and distance they travel. 

For Nancy, the experiment started with short trips to church on Sundays. “I drove the Modo car a few times and felt comfortable,” she says. That’s when it turned into a commitment to doing things differently. “I thought ‘this makes far more sense.”

A Whole New Way to Get Around

Nancy’s move to Cristalina had followed a year of significant change, including the loss of her husband and a fall that had made living alone more challenging. 

A retired teacher and nurse, she knew that an independent living community would alleviate the burden of daily tasks that were proving more difficult – like grocery shopping and yard work. “We had watched Cristalina being built,” she says, “and my husband had said ‘if you ever decide to move into a senior’s complex, that’s the one I want you in.” And, she adds, “it was the right decision – absolutely.”

She kept her car and used it as an extension of her independence. “I’ve lived in Kelowna a long time, and I have friends and activities outside the building,” she says. “I usually have a destination that I can’t walk to or get to easily.” Her son, for example, lives in Armstrong, BC – over an hour away – and she often drives there to visit for the day.

But over time, Nancy noticed her driving patterns shifting. She found herself avoiding night driving due to visibility concerns, and decided that managing a large SUV no longer felt like the right fit for her lifestyle.

She had noticed the Modo Car Share parked on-site at Cristalina PARC, but she wasn’t immediately sure it would be the right fit until she tried it out.

What made the transition easier was the car itself – a Kia Soul she was already familiar with. “The mirrors are really good, the safety features are up to date and it’s a nice size,” Nancy says. “I’m very comfortable driving the car.”

Of course, the idea of booking a car, learning an app and adjusting to a new routine took some getting used to. “Like with anything new, there were a few peculiarities I had to call Modo about to figure out,” she says. “But as long as the support people are at the end of the phone, they’re very helpful and do their best to help out.”

Before long, what started as a trial became a convenient new way of getting around, and Nancy decided to sell her car altogether. “I saved $3,000 on insurance, a brake job and tire changes,” she says. “And I probably won’t spend that much on Modo.”

Life After Car Ownership

Today, Nancy continues to live a full and connected life. She attends church regularly, visits friends throughout the Okanagan region and books the Modo whenever she needs it.

She admits the shift does require a bit of planning ahead, and getting familiar with the booking system took some trial and error. But for Nancy, those trade-offs were minor compared to the benefits.

“As long as you think ahead, you can make it work,” she says.

Without the responsibilities of car ownership, Nancy has simplified her day-to-day life while maintaining the independence that matters most to her. “I am out and about a lot,” she says. “And if there wasn’t the Modo here, I would definitely still have my car.”

But for her, the decision to get rid of the car hasn’t meant giving anything up. If anything, it’s helped her focus on enjoying a lifestyle with fewer demands and more ease – a mindset she encourages others to consider.

After all, letting go of what you’ve always done is often the best way to make room for something better.

Interested in learning more about life at PARC – and all the benefits that come with it? Come for a tour and see for yourself why so many independent seniors choose our PARC community. Find out more about our residences, and get in touch!