<p>My D will be a freshmen this fall at Udel living in the Russell complex. She has no particular need for access to an automobile as she plans to stay on campus most weekends and we would be happy to make the 2 hour trip to retrieve her for holidays and breaks, (or frankly, for any reseaon or pretext at all just to see her). Can anyone give me the pros, cons, costs, arrangments and regulations about keeping a car there? We don't need the car at home, and we will be paying insurance anyhow, so I am not totally opposed to her taking it. I am just having a hard time getting information and perspective on the question.</p>
<p>I don’t think there’s a reason to have a car on campus, especially for freshman.</p>
<p>Pros: You can get to the supermarket easier (although there are small markets on campus) and to the mall easier (although there is a very inexpensive bus there).</p>
<p>Con: Where do you park? Being the one that everyone relies on for the car. Do they even allow freshmen to have cars on campus?</p>
<p>Unless the student needs the car on a regular basis to go to a job, I’m not sure what the need would be. UD is so accessible via public transportation and it’s easy to get places you need to go. Plus, you’re only 2 hours away and can pick her up for breaks or visits. </p>
<p>UD Parking has a website that probably has the answers to your logistical questions.</p>
<p>Just know this is my personal bias - I am quite comfortable with my kids going on international flights (with travel groups), train to the city, but I am a freak about teenagers driving. Huge fear of mine. Can’t help it. Maybe I will get used to it as they get older (DD is 18 and DS is just going for his drivers permit this month). Or maybe I won’t.</p>
<p>Parking permits are very expensive - I think it’s about $500 for the year: [Parking</a> - Transportation Services - University of Delaware](<a href=“Parking Services | Facilities, Real Estate & Auxiliary Services”>Parking Services | Facilities, Real Estate & Auxiliary Services). As LINYMOM says, there really is no need for a car 99% of the time, and for the other 1% at least one of your D’s friends is bound to have one.</p>
<p>I would also much rather have my kids take public transportation whenever possible; S usually gets home from UD by commuter train. When D (who is now 23) was in HS, we had no qualms about her going to NYC by train and then getting around on the subway by herself. If she had wanted to drive there, it would have been a firm ‘no’. She now lives in NYC and is delighted not to have to deal with a car.</p>
<p>Thanks Liny and Book. You articulated most of my own feelings and impressions. I may have to put my foot down on this one. Bottom-line, it will be one less thing to worry about, and God knows I will be worrying 24/7.</p>
<p>In addition to those issues, consider where she will have to park. D had her car when she lived in New Castle (across the street from Russell). It was a hike to the isolated lot. If she was alone at night, she would call H and he’d talk her back to the dorm. Just because there is a lot close by, it doesn’t mean she can park there.</p>
<p>There is construction going on in what used to be the lot closest to Russell, so less parking. I can’t see any good reason for a freshman to have a car. The likelihood of your daughter getting roped into driving people here and there is very high and I think that’s a bad thing in the first year. The university has a Zipcar program and truly excellent transportation services. I think the car is a bad idea. Maybe if she needs it later for an off campus job, but not right away. I totally agree with LINYMom.</p>
<p>There really is no need for a freshman to have a car on campus her first year. Its a waste of money and everything (literally everything) is within walking distance. Main street has so many shopping/dining/movie theatre options that you really don’t need to go to the mall at all, and yes, if you do, there’s always the dart bus.</p>
<p>Update: I waited for my D to bring it up again, and when she did I told her about this discussion thread. We agreed that she would keep the car at home her freshman year and we could revisit the discussion next year. Thx for the input.</p>
<p>No car Freshman and Sophomore years for DD. She did fine. As a Junior she moved off-campus and began doing volunteer work in Wilmington. She took her car for those. Of course, being off-campus meant she had free parking (!) at her apartment building.</p>