<p>okay, so I really really want a school with good public transportation, because I have no intention of driving at all ... ever, if I can help it... So, any knowledge of what public transportation possibilities are offered by each college / town would me most appreciated (if everything is within good walking distance, that is of note as well)</p>
<p>Rice gives you a free pass to the light rail and metro. This is not very useful, however, because Houston public transportation sucks. You can walk everywhere on campus (although I do believe there is a shuttle) and if you are up for it, also to Rice Village, the nearby shopping and resturaunt area. </p>
<p>The Claremont colleges are all within walking distance of each other. You can easily walk to the little town of Claremont. Shuttles are provided to the airport at break times and weekend excursion transportation to LA and other fun places is also sometimes planned. I do not know how often Claremont college students use public transportation rather than college provided transportation.</p>
<p>for yale:
most things that you need are within walking distance. there is also a yale shuttle system that runs pretty much all day and all night (not sure of actual hours). i believe it also provides easy access to the train/bus station, which is an amtrak hub.</p>
<p>basically, a car is definitely not necessary if you live near campus.</p>
<p>for brown:
i lived on campus for a summer, and i didnt have a car, nor did anyone i met. providence is an awesome city, and everything you could want is in walking distance. like new haven, brown has a free shuttle system, and there is also a trolley system that runs all throughout the city. its very easy to figure out!</p>
<p>Did not have car when we visited Carnegie Mellon. Very good public transportation. Buses could get you anywhere. CMU is also right by U Pittsburg so you have a large college community all in walking distance. I also think U of Rochester has pretty good bus service to downtown but during our visit, I did not need to take advantage of public transportation.</p>
<p>Tufts is relatively close to a subway station. Granted, the campus is huge so it could a haul to get to one, but once you're there, Boston transporation is AMAZING. The subway can get you just about any place you need to go, and buses are even better at that. The commuter trains are also good too if you want to get out of the city. I'm pretty sure there are several bus stops around Tufts.</p>
<p>In Stanford itself you don't need a car (actually you aren't even allowed to if your a freshman). If you want to go to San Fransisco (people have said they only go a few times a year) you can take the train/shuttle (can't remember which one). I've heard its ok :)</p>
<p>when I visited stanford it seemed like bike+train were sufficient, but then again I don't go there :) You will get your exercise hoofing around the huge stanford campus, though - they call it "the farm" for a reason!</p>
<p>why wouldn't you want to EVER get a car? I could understand you're liking of public transportation and its affordabilty and ease of use, but a car can sometimes be a lifesaver, even in a city with an abundance of public transportation, I have a feeling that you'll end up changing your mind after college.</p>
<p>fsu-uf: some cities like boston, dc, and nyc would be utterly ridiculous for students- and many adults- to have a car. the parking is scarce and outrageously priced and with traffic, its often easier and quicker to just hop a subway.</p>
<p>NY Mom here- Huskem is right. Alot of NYC people (mostly Manhattan) do not own cars. It is much easier, faster and smarter to get around by public transportation. You gotta be nuts or very rich to own a car and live in Manhattan.</p>
<p>Princeton: there's a train stop on campus (right next to one of the residential colleges, in fact) that'll take you to the major cities. Aside from that, it seems people tend to stay on campus.</p>
<p>To second Carnegie Mellon: The campus is quite amazing.</p>
<p>The hill gives you a pretty isolated and "upper class" feel with the traditional beautiful green college campus. However, just five minutes away you have the old philanthropist city of Pittsburgh with all its history and arts. </p>
<p>Busses are free for CMU students and run throughout the night. Places like the Waterfront and Shadyside are must-visits and in my opinion the campus PERFECTLY blends the suburban/isolated college campus along with the shortest walk to a new improving city + an amazing party college just 5 min away. </p>
<p>PS: Yes I am talking University of Pittsburgh.</p>
<p>PSS: The city is also consistently ranked among the safest and is the 2nd largest College City after Boston, of course. The improvements in the last few years have been VERY welcome and long due.</p>
<p>Tufts - Free shuttle runs from Tufts to the "Red Line" stop at Davis Sq. on the "T", which can take you basically anywhere in the greater Boston area from there. The shuttle runs until 1am, and if you don't feel like waiting, it's only a good 15min walk to the stop.</p>