Car On Campus

undecided
Tue, 17 Mar 2009 11:48:02 +0000

Don’t forget to include tickets in your budget. The parking enforcement is insane, especially near campus.

Having a car is a huge headache. Be prepared to pay for parking (I don’t know where you live; if it’s not Downtown and not on campus, you should be able to get a local’s permit, but you’d have to check with the city). Make sure to carry quarters and dollar bills for meters and pay machines!

I agree that public transportation is a pain. However, I’ve found myself wanting a car only a handful of times. There’re always the rental car situations, including ZipCar. At least for me. Getting to Emeryville and Albany are at least doable; getting to San Jose is nearly impossible within a reasonable time. Palo Alto even less so. And it costs more than driving would.

The friends I know who have a car here now are recent graduates. They waited until -after- college to do it.

And I’d recommend the used car over the new.