Off campus living: Car vs. Bike

morningbird · 08-05-2007, 12:18 PM

My son will be living off campus this coming year in an apartment called Lanesborough. The apartment, off S. Braeswood Blud., is about halfway between Rice campus and Reliance stadium. We are weighing the pros and cons of having a car vs. biking. Here is the link to the apartment location:

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=1819+S...on%2C+TX+77030

1. How bike-friendly is the route between Rice and the apartment?

2. How much is the parking on campus? Is there other costs associated with owing a car(besides insurance/maintenance)?

Son's transportation needs will be mainly going to class and dining/grocery shopping, etc. He can't really afford a car from his little earnings during summer. So parents will shoulder the cost. I'm trying to see if the convenience by having a car justifies the costs.

Please share your experiences, Thanks.

thelonius · 08-05-2007, 12:37 PM

Hm, it's hard to say .... I'm looking at google maps and not seeing that obvious a route except down Main (bad idea) Fannin (also not that great) and Greenbriar (a little bit better, and not bad at all once he gets across Holcombe and can cut through neighborhoods). It's doable, just maybe not pleasant. (warning, I've never been through that area on a bike, so I'm trying to remember based on my observations from a car)

I think that there is a lightrail stop pretty close by there, though it's hard to tell exactly where. If there is, that'd provide him with an alternative to biking.

I can't find a link on the Rice website that lists this year's parking fees except by going through esther (if your son has an account set already, he can view the parking registration regulations, but in past years they've waited until Oweek to set up accounts) though for an off-campus freshman, parking in the commuter lot is $441 a year. So add that to gas/maintenance/insurance/cost of the car and decide what you view as justifiable.

blackeyedsusan · 08-05-2007, 12:54 PM

If you can afford the cost of your son having a car, I think that would be far preferable. The reason I say this is because while there is a bike path along Braeswood (by the bayou), there's not one between there and the Rice campus. So, from a safety standpoint, it's not ideal. Also, the car is much better suited to handle the downpours that we get in Houston -- which are not pleasant on a bike. Having a car will also be better when your son goes grocery shopping for his apartment.

misterme2009 · 08-05-2007, 01:10 PM

I lived almost exactly at that location this last year. I had a car, however. But one of my roomates took a bike whenever he couldn't get a ride with me. He was a good biker and made the trip rather quickly, but I can't promise it was very safe.

emilia · 08-05-2007, 03:54 PM

I'd also say car. That's going to be a long bike ride and might be too much if that's your son's only way of getting to campus (unless his roomies will have a car).

I'm actually living OC this year in an apartment complex right by Baylor College of Medicine. I only have a bike, but I've tried a few times and it's quite cumbersome trying to cross Fannin on a bike with the lightrail and all. Basically my plan is that I'm going to walk to edge of campus, have my bike parked on a rack probably near Lovett, and then ride the bike around campus, as I find it to be really convenient. If your son is able to get a car but already has a bike, you might suggest to him to leave his bike by the stadium/south side of campus rather than have to walk back and forth from the stadium everyday.

LWMD · 08-05-2007, 05:59 PM

The biggest surprise for me when my son brought his car to Rice was the change in his car insurance. He had to get his own policy in Texas. We lost the multi-car discount for his car. Also the basic rates for a young male in Texas were higher than the same for the D.C. area. You don't say what state you are in, but you might want to call your insurance company just to find out your insurance will be -- we have USAA.

That said, he will find the car more convenient, especially if he has to go back and forth late. My son lived near there his first year off campus right next to a light rail stop. He preferred his car at night because he thought some pretty seedy people were on the light rail late at night.

Car, definitely.

morningbird · 08-06-2007, 12:07 AM

Okay, since safety was brought up, I reckon if I lose this son I still got two more at home....(just joking!)

Thank everyone for the replies. It is indeed my impression from a few times driving in that area that biking will not be safe there, not to mention when it is raining and late night as some of you brought up. I'm glad that I check b/c when I called the apartment office they assured me that many of their tenants bike to the campus. I think it is an easy walk to lightrail on Fannin but quite a walk to Super Target with grocery in hand.

We live in Louisiana and have "Progressive" car insurance. They quoted us $3100/yr for adding my son with a hypothetical new Honda Civic. I forgot to mention the car will be used in Texas. Now I wonder why letting my son pick this apartment(he was on waiting list until about a month ago)

Has anyone buy used car from Carmax? or E-bay? Any tips? (The school will start in three weeks)

Thanks again and off car shopping....

anxiousmom · 08-06-2007, 01:05 PM

Can he find a place closer to campus? (I know breaking a lease is not a great idea, but it might be worth it costwise to do so. Lose your deposit versus insurance and new car?) My daughter has been offcampus before, and will this semester. Both times she was able to find a place within a few blocks of campus. It's worth checking craigslist or the online offcampus housing guide to see if someone is looking for a roommate or housemate. It may be a little late for this advice, though.

morningbird · 08-06-2007, 03:38 PM

Yeah, breaking a lease is not a great idea. Besides, his roommate will not be too thrilled. I'm beginning to suspect a conspiracy theory on their part to get a car from parents...

I'm contacting the other kids' parents regarding their plan for a car. They definitely don't need two cars.

DonR · 08-06-2007, 04:40 PM

As a student I lived (without a car or bike) 1.1 miles from campus in west philly, a very run down neighborhood.
I certainly think talking to the other parents is a good idea. Consider the lease. If you get an old used inexpensive car, at least wait for a couple weeks. Hiking to campus for a couple weeks in August will be a wonderful life lesson about planning and consequences. Also it will be good exercise:-)

MomofWildChild · 08-06-2007, 10:00 PM

Car- no question about it.

BILDO · 08-07-2007, 02:55 AM

Car. With all the others have said, he most likely will want to go other places in Houston that are not so close, and since he's not living in the dorms he'll probably not be able to find a ride as easily. (unless one of his roomies has a ride).

LWMD · 08-08-2007, 09:40 PM

Oh, by the way, the campus police seem to have zero tolerance for illegal parking and my son got the parking tickets to prove it. Even in a Staff lot on a Sunday when no one is around.

reid2575 · 08-09-2007, 01:11 AM

Car. Downtown Houston can be scary on a bike. Especially if he's riding home after a late night study session...

I mean, I know a car will be loads more expensive, but idk... Breaking the lease is an option too, I guess...

Oh ya, August/September in Houston on a bike! whew! I'm getting heat stroke just thinking about it! lol. Of course, that would probably only be on a long ride.

Tough decision. I feel for ya!