<p>Just wondering how feasible it is to live in Orange, CA without a car? I am applying for grad studies at Chapman. If I get accepted, a major factor in whether I go will come down to logistics of living. I don't have a car so I need to be able to get from my classes to my house, from my workplace to my house, and be able to run errands like grocery shopping, laundry, shopping, doctor visits etc. without a car. Advice needed, please be honest! Thanks!</p>
<p>That depends on where your house is located. If your house is located within 10-15 minutes to campus, then walking is best, otherwise, ride a bike or take the metrolink. Chapman is located near a train station. Metrolink offers students 10% off monthly pass, 7-day pass, 10-trip, one-way and round-trip tickets. They also offer a $10 round-trip for all you can ride weekend pass. If you rent an apartment or a house, they may include a laundry facility. If you have an emergency, you can always rent a car or take a taxi. There are other students already have cars on campus, perhaps you can team up to go shopping together. If you know of friends or relatives nearby, maybe you can get a lift. This is how DS does it for almost two years now by living on campus. Hope this helps.</p>
<p>Thank you. I know LA itself is a city where cars are a necessity so I was wondering about Orange. This is very different than NYC (I’m from New York), where it is very easy to get anywhere by walking, taxi, subway, to the point where owning a car is actually a hassle. I’m hoping to find a community where not only is it feasible to live without a car, but it’s part of the city culture.</p>
<p>From the times I’ve been to OC (about 4) I would say that you would be able to get by without a car in the area around Chapman, but life would definitely be easier with one. It doesn’t seem like “carless” living is really part of the city culture. In reality, Orange is not too much of a city at all. It’s more of a suburb.</p>
<p>Hi LizW, You’re welcome. Here is a Chapman link with public transit and other incentives information if you don’t bring a car to campus. Hope you find it helpful.
[Chapman</a> University - HR - Rideshare Incentives](<a href=“Human Resources | Chapman University”>Human Resources | Chapman University)</p>
<p>Ctodd, you are right: it’s not easy to get around if one plans on commuting to a distant off-campus job, LA internship, or if frequent jaunts around SoCal are foreseen. Public transit for those purposes is very poor, overall, in OC.
But I think a student who needs less frequent trips can manage via friends, bus, train, and bike–especially in freshman year. I know our son will have to manage, anyway. :)</p>
<p>They have a few Zipcars on campus that students >18 years old can rent for short jaunts. Our tour guide told us they were gettting a few more next year. For a small annual membership fee ($35), you can sign up online for a car for errands and outings.</p>