Do you need a car in UCLA?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Los Angeles
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I was wondering if I would need a car while I am in UCLA for four years. I know that the answer to this question probably differs from person to person, but please consider that I am not much inclined to travel great distances… I will most likely stay in the campus for the majority of the year, and I most likely will be outside of U.S. during the summer. Because cars can cost a lot of money and other things (the hassle of obtaining a parking permit within UCLA and expensive car insurance cost), and because I didn’t personally think that I would need cars while I’m in UCLA, I thought of not having a car during my undergraduate years. However, my guardian and some other people say that I should have a car while in UCLA, so I am really confused now about whether I should bring a car to UCLA (fyi, I already own a car and a drivers license in Kansas…but moving the car from KS to CA would cost me 500+ dollars). My question is:

(1) Other than having to visit friends, families, etc. who are living in California, are there other need of traveling with cars while in UCLA? (Please note that it reads “need,” not “want”… for example, traveling to the National Parks in eastern California wouldn’t count as a need, though that would be pretty cool. also, I don’t have any friends or families living in CA.)
(2) About what percentage of UCLA undergraduates actually bring car to UCLA?
(3) Do you think I should bring a car to UCLA? Why or why not?
(4) If “no” to the last question, do you think it’s a good idea to get a bicycle instead? Is UCLA too crowded to ride a bicycle? Do you often see people riding bicycle there or not?

I am asking these questions because I would have to pay about $2,500 this year for car insurance if I am carrying a car to UCLA…Any other comments and/or tips would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you! :slight_smile:

P.S. I already know that I need to have a parking permit for UCLA if I want to bring a car there.

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Based on what you’ve described, NO, you do not need a car. At all. Really. :slight_smile:

I don’t know what percentage have cars, but other than commuter students, I’m guessing it’s pretty small. The only way you’d need a car is if you have some place to go regularly that is fairly far from campus. You don’t need a bike either unless you really want one and like to ride, but keep in mind that UCLA and the surrounding area is very “hilly,” and everything you “need” is within easy walking distance, so it’s not like a lot of campuses where you see bikes everywhere. For the most part, people just walk everywhere.

Even if you move off campus at some point, most people move to an apartment in Westwood just off campus between Gayley (where the dorms are) and Veteran, so really just a few more blocks than living in the dorms. For shopping and eating, Westwood Village on the edge of campus has restaurants, drug stores, a major chain grocery store, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, and more. If you are going into the village with friends and want to ride your bike, you might be the only one. Again, most people just walk.

There’s little “need” to venture outside of Campus and Westwood, and there’s always plenty going on without even wanting to very often, but if/when you want to go to the beach, downtown Beverly Hills, or Hollywood (all within 5 miles or so), it would be less expensive (than a car with insurance, parking permits, etc.) to just Uber where you want to go.

Uber in LA is less expensive than many major cities (for reasons I don’t know) and if you have 3 or 4 people going any of those places, splitting an Uber will probably be cheaper than a bus, but the bus is another option. Catch the bus on Wilshire heading West will taking you directly to downtown Santa Monica and the beach. The same bus heading East will take you right to downtown Beverly Hills. Or, you can catch the #2 on Sunset Blvd to Pacific Palisade beach bordering Malibu, or East which will take you right into West Hollywood and Hollywood where you’ll find great restaurants, clothing stores and movie theaters, or just very interesting people watching! LOL

For the record, I was lucky enough to get a permit in a great lot and brought my car, but it mostly just sat unused. No need. I also had a bike I’d occasionally ride to the beach, but didn’t ride it to or around campus. I would wait until you get there before you decide whether you want a bike or not, but you definitely won’t need one or feel like you’re the only person without one.

Hope that helps!

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Definitely not freshman year, and you probably couldn’t get a parking permit as a freshman living on campus anyway.