<p>Is it a common practice? I've never used public transportation down in So Cali, but I feel like I'd be crippled if I didn't have a car. Trips back home would mean flying then. </p>
<p>Is it worth it? I plan on living on campus, not sure exactly how much the parking permit would be and plan on doing work-study (which I'm guessing means working on campus). But the thought of not having a car scares me!</p>
<p>Traffic sucks.
Gas is expensive.
Insurance is expensive.
Parking is expensive.
Parking doesn't exist.
AC Transit for the win.</p>
<p>Yeah, So Cal people just don't understand how transportation can be amazingly better without a car. Not everywhere in California is hindered by sprawl and lackluster public transportation.</p>
<p>Perhaps that's why housing is so expensive in Nor. Cali and S.F. is the 2nd most densely populated city in the country.</p>
<p>Gabe you seem to have this ultra-liberal and very fancy construction of what's universally better in almost all of your very patronizing, arrogant, yet ultimately misguided posts, such as your frequent endorsements of a governor that is destined to lose. I can almost guarantee a victory by Arnold and his strong shift towards the "center."</p>
<p>Contrary to what you might "believe," lived in Seoul for a bit and the public transportation there is extremely well developed and quite convenient. However, I would still have preferred the option and luxury of having a car. It is faster, more convenient (point to point), and private. I was asking for a honest assessment and not some snobbish comment.</p>
<p>Reachin4thestars, chill out. My comment, if you read it again, wasn't even directed at you. It was a response to DarkPyro and referring to "So Cal people" in general.</p>
<p>However, I will address what you said you like about having a car (relating it to Berkeley):</p>
<p>1) "faster"--public trans will oftentimes be faster, whether it's taking BART to SF or getting around Berkeley.</p>
<p>2) "more convenient (point to point)"--good public transportation provides this. Public transportation in Berkeley will be far more convenient than using a car; in fact, it will be far better for "point to point" as well because of the difficulty of finding parking (you would have to park far from your "point")</p>
<p>Most Berkeley students do not have cars. If you are living on campus you will certainly be far better off without a car.</p>
<p>Its a lot easier to get arond with public transportation than it is with a car so I don't think its necessary to bring a car.</p>
<p>A cat isn't necessary, but if you really want it (and want to deal with what that entails), bring it. Remember, you could always not take it for a while and bring it up later if you feel that you need it.</p>
<p>Parking is a real pain. Not only is there a paucity of parking spots, the meter maids are incredibly anal.</p>
<p>Gas prices aren't expected to go down at all. 'Nuff said.</p>
<p>I never used public transport until I got here to Cal. Now I swear by ACTransit and the Perimeter bus line. The drawbacks of having your own car are greater than the benefits, especially if you're living in dorms (ie, have meal points so have less need to go shopping).</p>
<p>And Berkeley students get a free ACTransit pass, correct?</p>
<p>Indeed they do.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Indeed they do.
[/quote]
That should really seal the deal.</p>
<p>Well, it really isn't free, as it's included in the fees (granted at a lower rate than it would be if all students bought them seperately). Maybe they should sell it more.</p>
<p>You can always sell your class pass to people that want it on craigslist for about $60.</p>
<p>Eh, unless AC Transit dramatically improved in the last year -- I'm still amazingly dissatisfied with it. Of course, living in Germany for a year hasn't made me any less anal about punctuality. ;) ...the bus being a minute or two late, like the buses and bullet trains here, I can deal with. It's when the bus shows up 15 minutes late with two other buses crammed with people behind, is where I really draw the line.</p>
<p>The 51 line is the exception, not the rule.</p>
<p>I'm talking the 7 and the 52 as well.</p>
<p>Yeah, AC Transit really needs to do something about the three head to tail 51 busses I normally see.</p>