<p>I am an incoming student from Las Vegas which is about 4-5 hours from USC and I was wondering if it is worth the money to bring my car to USC and pay for the parking permit, california gas, insurance, etc. I'm approximating about 1-2k per year total for car expenses. Exactly how much more convenient and helpful would it be?</p>
<p>Is having a car nice? Sure. Is it necessary, especially for a freshman? No. If anything it’s distracting especially once people know you have one, you’ll become everyone’s best friend when they want to go to the beach etc.</p>
<p>It will certainly help once you have an internship that might not be located on the most convenient of transit routes. I’d suggest getting a ZipCar membership and trying it out for a semester or two. Then you can decide if the benefits of having your own car are really worth it.</p>
<p>It’s very helpful to have a car in LA. Despite what everyone says about LA traffic, it’s even worse to not have a car. </p>
<p>HOWEVER, for undergraduates it may not be necessary. Permits are like $350/semester. That’s a crazy lot. If you live on campus I would not bring a car because you probably won’t use it a lot unless you’re bent on exploring Los Angeles at your own leisure.</p>
<p>Thanks for the great responses!</p>
<p>“If anything it’s distracting especially once people know you have one, you’ll become everyone’s best friend when they want to go to the beach etc.” </p>
<p>Yeah that’s what I was worried about as well. </p>
<p>How much are ZipCar memberships?</p>
<p>Zip cars are expensive. They can range from $8-15 per hour. If you own a car already, it’s not worth it to have a zipcar membership.</p>
<p>ZipCars isn’t a cheap option, but neither is driving your car in from Las Vegas and then parking it at $350-500 per semester. My suggestion is to go to SC without a car, if after first semester you find you can’t live without one you can always bring yours in for second semester or sophomore year.</p>
<p>What if you live close by, and you need your car…</p>
<p>Parking is expensive through USC. If/when you move off campus, to a house or something, parking should be much cheaper.</p>
<p>I really appreciate having my car. I don’t drive a ton, but it’s so worth it for when I do.</p>
<p>My D did not bring her car freshman year when she lived in the dorm on campus. Sophmore year, she did bring her car as she lived off campus. She did not need it and used USC transportation/bus/zip car, etc with her friends. For you, getting home for holidays, etc. is a different factor.</p>
<p>(From an insurance perspective - you would not need to insure your car in CA if you are a college student living at home with parents. The vehicle will be registered in NV, and you will temporarily be at school. The insurance could stay as a NV policy. I stronly suggest you discuss with your insurance agent as to their policy. Further, if you leave it, you can generally be removed as a rated driver if you live over 100 miles away from home and don’t take the car. Again - good question for your agent)</p>
<p>My daughters parking cost MORE at her apartment than the USC garage.We come from a place where parking is free so it makes me sick :(</p>
<p>During orientation this week, we sat at 4 different tables with parents while eating meals (we were well fed!). Not a one was letting their freshmen bring a car. We were the only ones, dependent upon receiving a parking pass through the lottery of course.</p>
<p>Its really nice to have if you want to go out and get something or do something anytime but honestly, I don’t think you’ll need it if you’re living on campus. After that, I’d definitely recommend bringing your car. As someone said, try without it for your first semester and if you really need it, bring it in the spring.</p>