<p>how much of an inconvenience is it if you don't have a car in chicago?</p>
<p>well, freshmen aren't allowed to have cars, so unless you're a grad student, you're outta luck. From what I've heard, it is a costly and mostly annoying commodity. Parking is tough to find, and driving isn't exactly enjoyable. The public transportation is good, so if you need to go downtown or whatever you can take the L or a bus. all in all, i would consider it an inconvenience, even if i could have one</p>
<p>Cars are not worth it in major cities. The parking is always expensive, the chance of theft is greater, getting anywhere takes a long time at peak hours, gas sucks, and so on. Public transit is usually pretty reliable, is usually cheap (or even free to students), and goes most places you could want to be. </p>
<p>Bottom line: at least visit Chicago before you make the decision to weigh yourself down with the burden that is a car.</p>
<p>Freshmen are indeed allowed to have cars, and a handful do. Parking is even free on the streets.</p>
<p>The University of Chicago looks down at freshmen having cars, but since the streets are public, they cannot stop a Freshmen from parking their car on the street, as opposed to most universites that have private roads and private parking lots.</p>
<p>Having a car is a doube-edged sword. It's a hassle to take care of it, a hassle to drive in the snow, a hassle when everyone wants a ride, a hassle to pay for parking downtown (expensive), etc....but it is so much better than public transportation.</p>
<p>my mistake keelee, must have mistaken chicago for the majority in that respect.<br>
A little info from the website:
* $30 per month for the Chapin, Mott, Kimbark, Law School, Edelstone, Wagner, Press Building, and Wells parking lots;
* $31 per month for the Ingleside and 1155 parking lots;
* $40 per month for the Woodlawn, Judd, Press, and Drexel parking lots; and
* $60 per month for the Ellis Parking Structure and Pierce.</p>
<p>If your parking permit and/or keycard should be lost or stolen, you can obtain a replacement from Parking Services. The replacement of a missing parking permit and/or keycard will cost $35 each to replace. The replacement of a missing transponder will cost $100 to replace.</p>
<p>Tickets</p>
<p>Vehicles parked illegally will receive tickets. The tickets and fines are in accordance with the list below.
Unauthorized, altered, or incorrect permit for parking lot $30
More than one carpool member in parking lot $30
Permit not properly displayed $30
Parked on walk or grass $30
Parked in hospital emergency drive, obstructing hydrant, service areas, traffic lane, fire lane, or crosswalk $30
Parked on campus quadrangles $30
No valid permit $30
Meter expired $30
Illegally parked in handicapped space $100</p>
<p>All fines will double if not paid after five business days from the date of issuance.</p>
<p>Accumulation of five or more tickets could result in revocation of parking privileges, and/or towing of your vehicle at the owners risk. If you are a student, you also risk being restricted from registration and access to other student services.</p>
<p>website: <a href="http://facilities.uchicago.edu/parking/ParkingPolicyFrame.htm%5B/url%5D">http://facilities.uchicago.edu/parking/ParkingPolicyFrame.htm</a></p>
<p>Just keep in mind, most students do not pay for parking. Parking on the streets, as I mentioned, is free. During school days, 9AM-4PM, it is difficult to find a space, but the rest of the day, it is easy. So assuming you don't drive your car away during the day, you are fine.</p>
<p>I'm definitely bringing my car/getting a new one for Chicago.</p>
<p>do you have to pay for the evil chicago stickers or is that only for cars actually registered in chicago?</p>
<p>either way, parking in chicago is an absolute ***** but once you get out of town a bit it always seems (for me at least) like luck is with me and there is always a car leaving in front of where I want to be.</p>
<p>I'd say give it a try without a car. You can always bring yours later or buy one but once you have one, you will be less willing to deal with other forms of transportation (which I have never had a problem with).</p>
<p>Though...the last time I was in chicago (err sorry, second to last...last time I flew in to visit Uchicago and used public transportation), we were parking in a $75,000 parking spot downtown...sometimes its nice to have friends.</p>
<p>
[quote]
do you have to pay for the evil chicago stickers or is that only for cars actually registered in chicago?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I don't know the whole deal with that, but I do know that out-of-state registered cars do not need any stickers.</p>
<p>I am pretty sure that you don't stickers at all to park on campus, but not 100%. Most cars don't have them.</p>