<p>My daughter will be attending Georgia State University this fall. She has her own car and wants to take it. But with the parking fee at $800 per year, and with what I understand is good public transportation in Atlanta, I wonder if this really makes sense. FYI she is rooming on campus.</p>
<p>When on campus, it should be easy to get around on foot and on weekends any exploration of the city could be done on the MARTA bus/subway system?</p>
<p>Any thoughts on this?</p>
<p>Here's my thought. Have D leave the car at home!</p>
<p>Multiple reasons.</p>
<p>I have friends in the Atlanta area and they hate driving there.</p>
<p>If she leaves the car home, you may get a break on the car insurance.</p>
<p>My son did not have a car his first year in LA. It was clear that he needed one to get to his internships. He has had a car the last three years. </p>
<p>Are jobs/internships an issue for your daughter? If so, a car may be useful.</p>
<p>$800???!!!</p>
<p>It costs about $800 a year for a parking permit at Pitt, Weenie. That's their way of telling you to leave the car at home.</p>
<p>^ I thought maybe it included private, climate controlled, indoor parking - oh, and a meal plan. :D</p>
<p>My son's at Georgia Tech in Atlanta. Parking is outrageously expensive there too. He's finishing up his first year and has done just fine without a car. He takes MARTA to the airport to come home for holidays. He and his girlfriend are always going to Atlantic Station and other places for dinner and shopping - no car, no problem. I know once they took a cab to go to a fancy restaurant and the symphony, but generally they have managed with MARTA, friends and their feet!</p>
<p>He was lucky to get his coop job on campus, so he won't even need a car to work full time this summer. He's a little worried about having to move without a car from a northwest campus apartment to the new southeast side apartments in August (formerly Georgia State's Village) , but he'll manage it somehow. </p>
<p>I would urge you to send no car to Atlanta!</p>
<p>Another believer in no car on urban campuses, unless there's a specific reason to have one. My S has been in NOLA and Balto - no car either place. There is public transportation and there is always a kid who has a car for some reason to take them to the mall or wherever on rare occasion, as needed.</p>
<p>And you very likely will be able to save big on insurance if she is >x miles from your home. Check with your company. In our case, he was still allowed to drive during vacations when home, just like a "guest" driver would do if they were visiting you and you lent them the car.</p>
<p>True about the insurance. We got an "out of state student discount", which rqd > 85 mi. away with no car. And yes, they can drive on breaks and over the summer. AND, if you call up in June or July, they will start the discount immediately, so we even saved last summer (prorated), before she even left for the college!</p>
<p>Another vote for "No car!" here. Driving and parking in Atlanta? YUCK! She'll have plenty of friends with cars to help out in emergencies.</p>
<p>jmmom/mercymom:</p>
<p>Thanks for the tip about a reduction in insurance if the student is away at college without a car yet can drive on breaks. I actually haven't checked into that but I have one D at college about 120 miles away with no car. I'll have to call the insurance company. If they don't do it I might ask for tips on companies that do.</p>
<p>My daughter has survived fine without a car in Chicago (I have given her an evergreen CTA pass). But I know that she is powerfully glad that many of her friends have cars at school.</p>
<p>Friend had son at GT. He took a car after freshman year, mainly due to his job--but even with a junker car had problems with break-ins, many minor damages to body, etc. I know I hate driving in Atlanta!</p>
<p>Two things:</p>
<p>(1) if you leave your car at home, you get a huge discount on that car's insurance. I know State Farm and Geico give it. My D can still drive Spring Break, Christmas Break and all summer, and get the discount for the 8 months she is away.</p>
<p>(2) ask your insurance company how much the insurance would be if she took her car to Atlanta. That should stop her!!! D's insurance would have tripled for her to take her car to Big City.</p>
<p>I actually had my car on campus at Pitt my sophomore year and off campus my final two years. To be honest, there are some places in Pittsburgh that aren't easily accessible by the bus system. The lots aren't climate controlled, but are covered. It was essential for me having a job outside of the Oakland/Downtown area.</p>
<p>I would definitely leave the car at home freshman year and re-evaluate in subsequent years based on employment and other opportunities!</p>
<p>I really appreciate the advice and my D just finished reading the thread. She is now leaning toward leaving it at home and not only will she save the $800 for parking but we will check with the insurance carrier to see about additional savings as have been suggested above.</p>
<p>My daughter originally wanted a car on campus. We decided that it wasn't a good idea for freshman year and we would re-consider after that. One of her friends, a senior, had her car broken into and vandalized and that changed my daughter's mind completely. While she still would like the convenience at times, she doesn't want the worries that come along with it. She has made it through sophomore year without a car just fine.</p>
<p>We have Geico, and don't just pay a reduction in student insurance w/kid at college more than 150miles away (with no car.) We don't pay a cent for her, and she can drive summers and holidays, too. Very cool :)</p>