If at all possible, don’t own a car.
Since college, I’ve always lived in towns with good public transportation. If I ever have to move I will do my best only to move to a town with public transportation. Cars are the great sucking drain on your salary: you buy one with a lot of your money then put a lot more of your money into it in the form of gas and insurance and repairs. Do what you can to avoid buying a car so you can avoid the car owning you.
Does own only one hybrid car count? Hee hee! I know it doesn’t! We tried to go car-free here in Arlington. Too bad we don’t live AND work in DC – it might just work! -S