How useful is having a car at Dartmouth?

<p>I know you can't bring one your freshman year. I'm going to Dartmouth next year and my parents are thinking about selling my car because they don't think it would be reasonable for me to keep it because they don't think I'd want to bring it with me in the future. I live in Oklahoma. So does it suck not having a car at Dartmouth? I just can't imagine! And does having one come in handy?</p>

<p>Not a clue as to what parking in Hanover is like these days, but 30 years ago, I'd have gone nuts w/o a car. Not that West Leb or White River Junction are all that, but you still need a car to get there - or anywhere else.</p>

<p>Depends where you live. The senior maxwell apartments are pretty far (in Dmouth relativity) from baker-berry, which is pretty much the center of campus. 10-15 minute walk at most from the furthest living place on campus to baker-berry; so, for inter-campus use only, I think a car is totally unnecessary, but if you're looking to head to civilization, where restaurants and kohl's and the 'mall' are, it might be helpful, but I don't think it's worth the investment.</p>

<p>Yup. If you pledge at a frat getting parking shouldn't be a hassle. Otherwise, life could be a bit difficult since you'll have to park somewhere inconvenient. But if you have the opportunity, I'd recommend having a car. You will definitely want to leave Hanover at some point, even though it probably won't be that often.</p>

<p>johnleemk, are you as bored as I am sitting home and wanting to go back to campus?</p>

<p>Yes. I've been busying myself watching old episodes of House and Arrested Development and doing crosswords or reading. Questions from prospies add variety to my day!</p>

<p>true. can't wait to get back and freeze my butt off.</p>

<p>i also cannot wait to get back. however, the necessity of having a car is not huge, but it can definitely be convenient. what you really want, though, is to have a FRIEND who has a car, that way s/he is stuck with all the parking tickets it's pretty inevitable you're going to get :-P</p>

<p>Honestly, it depends what you like to do. Some people are completely ok with not leaving campus except for more substantial trips for which there is mass transit (ie, boston, manchester), while other people like to leave campus almost every day. As a freshman, I would say it's not necessary at all, you'll have upperclass friends.</p>

<p>After that, you might like one</p>

<p>Heather- I think it is not necessary to have a car. You'll inevitably have a friend who has a car, and you just need to plan ahead of time. The other thing that most people don't think about is that you have to shovel out/maintain your car EVERY time it snows. If you don't shovel it out, it will turn to ice, and then you probably have to wait until spring! (lol)</p>

<p>I agree with everyone else here. I want to go back so badly. I miss my friends. My life used to be so exciting...</p>

<p>Mmm, good point Dartmoose. I definitely agree that a car is pointless freshman year. As an upperclassman, the necessity of a car will vary from person to person. My guess is by the time you're allowed to park on campus, you'll know whether or not you need a car. If there's no reason for your parents to sell the car immediately, I'd say hold on to it just in case.</p>

<p>I need to be back. Like now. This has been the perfect break...but it's about time.</p>

<p>However, I heard that we're having a snowstorm on the 5th.</p>

<p>Ha...Ha.</p>

<p>Can't say for sure if that's going to be true. I've found the Hanover forecasts often spotty when they're more than two or three days in advance. So many times I was expecting snow this fall, only to be foiled by the vagaries of New England weather.</p>

<p>I would be quite pleased if we wound up being buried in 3 or 4 feet of snow, though. At least till I have to trudge through that to class every morning.</p>

<p>Isn't there some kind of public transit that covers the valley? Is it more convenient than trudging off to a distant parking lot to shovel out your car every few days?</p>

<p>There's Advance Transit, which may suit you if you prefer making infrequent trips outside Hanover. The problem is it takes a rather circuitous route, so it is sometimes faster to bike to West Leb than to take the bus. It's free, though, so you can't really complain.</p>

<p>According to my DS, it is VERY necessary. He spent much of Fall term complaining about no access to a supermarket. It turns out that freshmen can have cars if they find their own parking, and that for winter term some are allowed to buy a permit for A lot. Frats rent space to freshmen too. Frankly, we capitulated since the parking there was cheaper than paying for his parking where we live.</p>

<p>Did he not hear of the Co-op, or does it not have what he needs? The Co-op is a bit far, but it's still within very reasonable walking distance.</p>

<p>Thanks, he had not heard about the co-op.</p>

<p>Let's hope the Jan. 5th snowstorm gives us a snow-day (maybe, maybe..?). Okay maybe not :D</p>

<p>not useful when u can use a good old bike:)</p>