I’m seriously considering going to LMU this fall, but I’m coming from NY, which means having a car is really not an option. I’ve heard some people say having a car on campus is an absolute must, but others say not having one isn’t that big of a deal. From what I’ve heard, a lot of people leave campus on the weekends, making me worried that I’m practically going to be stranded with no convenient way to go out or do anything. I know public transport and ride share is an option, but it’s gonna get annoying using these every time I need to leave campus. Is it worth moving across the country if I’m just gonna be stuck on campus constantly.
I know a student there who has no car, who is from NYC. She Ubers. Uber and Lyft are very, very common…when you are driving into the LMU entrance, about 80% of the cars you see driving in will have Lyft and Uber signs!
The other options are bus which aren’t a great option in LA overall, and taxi.
My D is at LMU and she has a car, but it’s for work related reasons. She knows a lot of people who don’t have a car. If you are looking for a ride to an off campus party it probably won’t be too hard to find. There’s plenty of non party stuff going on on campus.
There is also a zipcar thing where you can get a short term car rental but you have to plan ahead, it would be more for like appointments and less for like social activities.
My D is at LMU and did not bring her car. She says it’s expensive to keep one on campus and she’d much rather use Uber.
My daughter is a sophomore and doesn’t have a car. We are from NJ. She is asking for us to get her one this fall but I don’t see it happening. She does spend a ton of money on Uber/Lyft but for what it would cost for her to have a car between payments, insurance, gas and LMU’s parking fee she’s still saving us money. Plus she doesn’t have to worry about finding parking wherever she goes.
Is it easy to use public transportation in LA especially around LMU? I’m from NYC and while we do have a car we rely so much more on the MTA. Also what do students do for fun?
Son does not have a car at LMU. He uses Lyft or Uber. Zip cars are also available. LMU also has a local Shuttle.
Public transportation is not as good in LA, compared to NYC for instance especially where LMU is located as it is not near the metro. It is very close to LAX, however, which is very convenient.
I wouldn’t worry about being stranded, or the only student without a car. My daughter will start in the Fall 2019, and she will definitely not have a car! She knows of others who are starting next year, who also won’t have a car.
We were told on the tour that there are plenty of students who do have cars, though, so finding a ride isn’t all that difficult. I think there will be a nice mix of students who do/don’t have cars, plus all the available ride services that you’ll be more than adequately covered transportation-wise!
If you live on campus - you do not need a car. My son lived on campus for Freshman and Sophomore years and rented a Zip car occasionally (about 10 dollars an hour and yes they rent to 18 year olds) or Uber (which is really economical in LA). He is a Junior now, living off campus and earned the money to bring a car down this year. Parking on campus is pricey - about 500 a semester. So live on campus and use Uber or Lyft or rent Zip.