<p>I have been constantly arguing over the purpose of having a car with my mom for 46 days. In Illinois, do we really need a car to move from place to place? I've heard that the parking spots are limited; I assume they are somewhat attempting to prevent EVERY freshmen having a car. Of course my parents are paying for my car(I am not allowed to work in the U.S. so..) but they are still emphasizing the fact whether I really 'do' need it or not. If I really do, they have no problem getting a car for me, but if I don't, then I would probably end up taking a bus, which I do not care.
what do you guys think?</p>
<p>Seriously don't bring a car. Especially as a freshman. The freshman lots are 800 miles away and unless you're going home every weekend or get a job at the mall, the bus system should work just fine. Oh I see you can't even work so definitely don't bring a car. They don't just tell you to have more spots; you really don't need it. Unless you're going home every weekend, I repeat: No Car.</p>
<p>You don't need a car at all, since UIUC is 2 hours from the nearest civilization (Chicago) anyway. You can take a bus to the mall and grocery store. I parked my car a mile away in the freshman lot and had to take a bus to my car, which was ridiculous.</p>
<p>wow.. I thought I could get a brand new SRT-4 for my college life :-( okay then, I guess there is no car for me! thanks guys</p>
<p>tell your parents to save their money</p>
<p>Yup, having a car here is useless unless you live off campus or something. I just walk everywhere.</p>
<p>Bicycles aren't common? Why not?</p>
<p>Bicycles are very common. I don't know where you heard that they weren't. Some people only ride bikes. They have a very nice system of bike paths as well. There is even a term of "getting schwinned" because a lot of people just walk on the bike paths haha. Although I do like walking, I ride my bike when I need to get somewhere far and fast (lifeguarding at IMPE and riding from the other side of campus). I stopped when it got cold like most people tho. The only reason I don't ride my bike regularly is because I forget I ride it and walk back. I think my bike is still at IMPE by the way or the Chem Annex . . . not really sure.</p>
<p>I didn't hear they weren't...I just didn't see anything posted that they were. That's why I asked :). Do they have plenty of racks near the buildings to lock them to? How's the crime situation there in general and specifically regarding bicycle theft?</p>
<p>Do you folks find enough things to do for recreation on campus or do you simply not get enough time to play? Sounds like you atleast get a number of good concerts on campus. There's really no reason to go of campus, atleast not enough to have a car? I grew up in the midwest and couldn't imagine not having transportation so I'm a bit perplexed.</p>
<p>It's just that there are buses to about everywhere. There are a lot of things to do on campus. The only reason I'd go off is for a movie or the mall. There are plenty of bike racks, one at almost every building, and a get a good lock (which are easy to find, I like the U-Locks the best). The crime situation is almost nothing. I really haven't heard much. After the championship game, there were some bikes that were wrecked. These were only those left at public buildings tho and surprisingly nothing much was said about that and most are still there so maybe the people just forgot.</p>