<p>My friend told me this just a few moments ago (she visited Vandy earlier this year).</p>
<p>I'm wondering if this is true or if she misunderstood (hopefully).</p>
<p>She also said that starting with the class of 2012, you'll have to live on-campus all 4 years.</p>
<p>No, Vanderbilt simply won't sell you a a parking permit, but there are places within a quarter mile of campus that you can park your car at for about a grand a year or just park it wherever you want and rack up parking fines. Vandy is one of those schools that doesn't really restrict much.</p>
<p>They also will have cars you can rent on campus for running around town if you dont take your car. My Son a freshman last year, didnt take his car first semester but his roommate had a uncle in town that he left his car at second semester. But there are parking lots around that can be had for monthly rental. </p>
<p>Vandy tryed last year to have 100% occupancy but still about 150 students, I assume seniors got to live off campus in the end. But yes, with the Commons open now there should be enought room for everyone. I believe there is only one exception is if your family owns a home in Davidson County.</p>
<p>The move to discourage freshmen from having cars began in fall 2002 when Vanderbilt returned to their old (my generation) policy of no cars on campus for freshmen. Palmettotree is correct that there are a number of local hotels that sell permits and I know from S's experience that the closer they are, the more expensive they are. He got the cheapest (farthest) spot he could and rarely used his car except to drive home.<br>
It is rare to hear anyone complain about the mandate to live on campus. My children both don't understand their friends at other schools and their desire to move off campus immediately or after their freshman year. I hear the Commons is very nice, but the rest of the housing available is not exactly luxury digs. However, the social life and proximity to class (along with the ability to get up 15 minutes before your first class and to throw on a baseball cap and dash) are obviously important.</p>
<p>there are lots south of campus near an elementary school that you can park for free.</p>