Do I need a car at USC? (Transportation)

Hi Guys,
I got in USC this year but I am an international student so buying a car and getting the license will be hard for me. Does everyone have a car at USC? What is transportation like as a freshman? Where do USC students normally hang out outside of campus, do they go far or do they stay in the nearby neighbourhoods?

@confusedsenior28 , one of my sons graduated from USC and one is set to graduate in May. neither one had a car, and they got along fine. You can hop on the Expo light-rail line from campus, through downtown, all the way to the West side of LA. My sons also use Uber, and the campus has ZipCars if you want to rent a car cheaply for a few hours (although you would need a license for a year to rent a ZipCar, if I’m remembering correctly) I don’t think it’s worth the hassle to bring a car to campus, but a lot also depends on your lifestyle (if you plan to dash to the beach or run around a lot…)

Do not need car, particularly the first, but maybe all four years depending on you. First, parking is a nightmare and expensive. Also, USC pays for uber rides within a certain range around campus. Want to eat somewhere besides the dorm - call uber, it’s free! My freshman took about three types of public transportation to get to Disneyland - quite an adventure but they made it. Your first year you will be close to campus often but prob head to downtown (just a couple miles - uber) and maybe other cool areas - Santa Monica, Hollywood, beaches, over by UCLA etc, but just now and then. Not enough to need a car for sure.

One of mine does have a car as a junior, but he and his friends love to venture to Manhattan Beach and Westwood for dinners (good restaurants in those areas) but my other didn’t till senior year, but even then, totally optional and not required. There is a point you may want to have the flexibility to head over to Santa Monica or down to San Diego or wherever, but others have cars and there are other options (uber). Certainly you are too busy to do these kinds of things too often and paying for a car to be there all the time for these few outings is silly. And maybe you will date someone with a car or have generous sharing friends. Just offer to cover the gas!

Thanks! I’ll see how I feel once I’ve been at USC for a few years. Definitely not getting a car for freshman or soph

Starting next month, you’ll be able to take a train (the Expo Line) to Santa Monica. The stop is a very short walk to the beach.