<p>I would really like to bring my car with me to school, however I'm sure UF is not very accomodating considering the number of students on campus. I'd really appreciate some feedback and advice on this topic. Is it worth it to bring your car? How expensive is parking? How far is parking from the dorms and classes? Any feedback is appreciated...</p>
<p>UF parking is absolutely awful, but it really depends on what dorm you’re in and where your classes are. Some dorms are relatively close (although it will be harder to find a parking space) and some are not within walking distance of classes. There is a pretty good bus system that is free for UF students, so don’t worry too much about getting around campus. Honestly, having a car in Gainesville really isn’t necessary, and I know a lot of people here who didn’t bring their car, but I like having my car just so that I can go where I want when I want without having to wait for the bus or ask someone for a ride. It really just depends on your personal preferences.</p>
<p>Honestly, I wouldn’t bring your car.</p>
<p>I was going to bring mine. I didn’t, and while I miss it sometimes, I don’t regret my decision at all. The decals aren’t too expensive but, as a freshman, your decal entitles you to parking in the commuter lot - that’s pretty much it. The other freshman spots are far and few between, and your likelihood of finding an empty spot is slim to none. The commuter lot is near Hume and the Reitz Union, but not much else. </p>
<p>It’s not too hard surviving without a car, really. The buses are easy enough to navigate, and when I need to go get groceries or something like that, I can usually talk a friend into driving me over there.</p>
<p>The best dorms for freshmen parking are on west campus, so you should look into Trusler, Simpson, Graham, or Hume.</p>
<p>I brought my car between my 2nd and 3rd year. Mostly for going to the supermarket, mall/store, or driving home. </p>
<p>No one drives to class, unless maybe you have a scooter or motorcycle. If you live off campus you have commuter parking lot and park n’ ride. East campus is mostly red1’s and you need more credits to park in those.</p>
<p>Parking is the worst I have seen on any campus. I had to walk a mile to my car my 3rd and 4th years (that’s IF you can find a parking space). The only time you can get a good spot is Friday night when everyone leaves town for the weekend.</p>
<p>As for the commuter lot, don’t count on having a spot in the entire place past 9 or 10 in the morning. When I lived off campus, I took the bus. It’s free for UF students and takes about the same amount of time as it does to play musical chairs with the parking spaces.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I was still on campus, so that wasn’t too much of a problem. However, there were certain times of the day (M-F, 7am-5pm) that I wouldn’t move my car. It almost impossible to find space then and ticketers take their job seriously and in a 5min interval you will have a ticket. Parking over summer is much easier.</p>
<p>Where are the commuter/ freshman parking spaces located?</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Most on west campus by Simpson/Hume. You can visit the parking.ufl.edu to see specifics. Freshmen are Red 3 (based on credit hrs earned). I think once you get 50 credits you are upgraded to Red 1. (Also reds are for students that live on campus)</p>
<p>Does that 50 credits have to be credits earned while at UF or total credits that you have, including AP credit? D’s living off-campus. She’ll have a car that she’s bringing so she can get to grocery store and drive home when she wants … but we’re debating about getting a commuter sticker or not. She lives on one of the RTS bus routes, so she’ll be taking the bus in during the day. And, I believe, you can park on campus after 4:30pm, right? w/o a commuter sticker. </p>
<p>Hmmm … </p>
<p>zebes</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Total credits earned. </p>
<p>
</p>
<p>She’s off campus, so the credits dont matter. Red 1 and 3 are for student students on campus. Commuter decal is for grad/professional students. Your daughter is eligible for park and ride decal which is pretty far away. If she is going to take RTS, then I wouldn’t get a decal. </p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Yes, and 5pm for some. Best way to not get a ticket is to learn the rules of each lot. It worked for me.</p>
<p>Do they enforce parking on the weekends? If we’re visiting, can we park anywhere or still only in the visitor lot?</p>
<p>No enforcement on the weekends, even though there are lots that are decal-only 24/7, no one enforces it on the weekends. I wouldn’t recommend parking in reserved spots. They may or may not show up and call a towing company.</p>