<p>Will I need a car as a freshmen? How good is public transportation in LA? I've heard not so great. It will save a lot of money if I can eliminate the cost of a car, insurance, tags, parking, etc.</p>
<p>My son is just completing his first year @ USC. We are from the East Coast, so he does not have a car. He hasn't really needed one: there's a lot doing on campus (he is into sports); there's a "tram system" that can get you into downtown LA; when he's needed to go somewhere by car, he can carpool with friends.</p>
<p>USC is working on gettin "Flexcar" or other providers of "car-by-the-day/hour" available on campus.</p>
<p>There's a transportation department that can provide you info on things like quick/cheap ways to get to the airport, etc. Also, you can shop for groceries on-line @ Von's (a partner of Safeway) and have them delivered -- or your parents can do this for you. The school provides a small refrigerator in each room, and a microwave.</p>
<p>One reason freshmen all live in on-campus dorms is to cut down on the need for cars. And yes, not having one DOES save a lot of money.</p>
<p>One piece of advice: go to the earliest Orientation Program you can (they will have several over the summer), since that's when you register for classes. Orientation is really well run.</p>
<p>Have a great time.</p>
<p>Thanks for that info., mauimom. We are likewise trying to make the car/no car decision right now as to our incoming freshman son. We are in Texas, and one difference is that we do have family in L.A. that our son is close to and would like to be able to visit. OTOH, we really want him to concentrate on his studies and learn everything that the USC campus has to offer, especially as he starts out.</p>
<p>We would really appreciate any additional comments, esp. from parents or students who've been through this.</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>USC has now subscribed to "Flexcar." There are Flexcars available around campus. There may be some limit on how old you have to be, or how long you have been driving, but you can get this information on-line or at Orientation.</p>
<p>I spoke with my son a few days ago about this issue. His response was that there are so many people from California, and Southern California, that he could always find folks to go with when he needed a car. And most of the "need" was for social events (to a mall for dinner, to a concert, etc.) or shopping (to Target for bottled water), that it was the kind of thing you go to in a group anyway.</p>
<p>Also, particularly Fall Semester, there is SO much going on on campus that most kids want to hang around & partake of the fun. Even if you're not a particular football fanatic [although he is], EVERYONE goes to the games, the tailgates, etc., so that's a part of "hanging out with your friends," or making friends.</p>
<p>I agree with you about the "frivolous driving" issue. Not having a car keeps them on campus, eating in the dining hall, hanging with their friends, and forming a group to go out. Shouldn't be a probelm -- in fact, it should be welcome -- for your child.</p>
<p>AJF - In rereading your question I realized I didn't respond to the part about visiting family in LA. Where are yours located? LA is really many, many communities, some easier to get to than others. </p>
<p>Can family come pick him up? Does someone from the family work in downtown LA? There's a tram system that kids can take to downtown, and over to the Union Station. The bus system and "metro" [such as it is] leaves from Union Station. My son used that to get out to friends in Claremont [Pomona & other colleges there]. Admittedly, this is NOT as quick as having one's own car, but it's do-able.</p>
<p>Also, my son occasionally took cabs. Not inexpensive, but when compared to the cost of having a car [gas, insurance, parking permit, etc] easy to put some $$$ for this in the budget.</p>
<p>Again, talk with the Transportation Department at Orientation, or e-mail them. If you have additional questions, e-mail me or post here.</p>
<p>mauimom,</p>
<p>Thank you so much for your kind response and helpful insight.</p>