bluelov3

I know that there is metrorail station right in front of the campus
and Rice students get unlimited access to houston public transportation system.

But really, how good is the public transportation system in Houston?
and how is living without a car in Rice?

breadandbutter07

It's very feasible to live without a car at Rice. There are weekly shuttles to the Village (a nearby shopping area with clothing stores and restaurants) and to a Supertarget and Fiesta (grocery store). The metrorail also takes you close to a Fiesta.

In all honesty, you won't be going off campus very frequently, even though there are tons of things to do "outside the hedges."

LWMD

My son did well without a car his first two years -- and that was before the light rail. Hint -- make friends with upperclassmen in your college who have cars.
He had a car after he moved off campus. Honestly, he rode his bike to and from class more than he drove -- he could get closer to his classes by bike.

1down, 1 to go

How's the weather -- is it comfortable to bike throughout the school year?

anxiousmom

Yes, unless it it raining. Neither of my kids have cars there, and it is fine. My son may need one in a few years to get to internships, etc, but I don't plan on buying it for him!!!

yupaws

so I pretty much come from hilly hilly georgia. and you can't get anywhere on a bike. I take it Houston's pretty flat? making it easy to bike around?

lilypuppy

yes, Houston is quite flat, in my opinion, especially in the Rice/Medical Center area where there is a large density of urban buildings. Unless of course you count the occasional artificial hills that they build to make the area look more scenic. =D

Redenbacher's

I'm from New York City so you can only imagine how I reacted when I arrived in Houston. Despite my early complaints, I have been able to live in Houston without a car. There are times when I wished I had one but sometimes it so not convenient. Besides, most of your friends will have cars so you won't have to worry. All major attractions are on the Metrorail and Rice provides shopping shuttles on Fridays and the weekends.