<p>Can freshmen own a car at Berkeley; I would like to drive home on the weekends.</p>
<p>i don't go there (i've only visited), but from what i understand parking is VERY limited, and freshmen can't own cars.</p>
<p>Freshmen can own cars but it costs $80 a month</p>
<p>Parking is also not guaranteed even with the $80 permit. The parking lots close to campus are usually full.</p>
<p>Can I park somewhere farther away and take a bus?</p>
<p>What about my housing; If I lived in different housing would I be able to use my car?</p>
<p>unless you get an apt, or park on the street, a car is stupid to have. walk, get used to walking, stay here and party during the weekends.</p>
<p>yea, if you go home a lot, you miss out on a lot of the bonding and social atmosphere that the first year of college provides. Getting a car is a bad idea, Berkeley's and the Bay Area's transportation system is top-notch, so you don't need a vehicle.</p>
<p>I commute taking Bart everyday for about 3/4 an hour each way, trust me it's cheap but you miss out on alot of stuff...it's a tradeoff of sorts. You should use public transportation if at all possible.</p>
<p>I love it when people who know nothing respond just for the sake of responding. As you can see, most of there responses don't even answer the question. Here is the true answer:</p>
<p>Contrary to popular belief, you can have a car and you can actually have parking right outside your dorm but it is really expensive. You have to apply with the parking department and be able to say that you have a job somewhere that you have to drive for and have a letter from your employeer saying that you work for them and need to use a car. I would suggest going in person to the parking office on Kittredge and waiting in line and asking them for the form. Then when you apply send the application directly to who ever you talked to with a letter addressed to that person reminding them of your conversation. And of course you have to be able to "prove" that you have a job but if you were smart enough to get into Berkeley I am sure you can handle that one on your own. </p>
<p>If you have the money having a car is totally worth it, especially as a freshman. There's a lot more to the Bay Area than Berkeley and BART just doesn't cut it. Trying to get around with out a car is definitly doable but if you can why not have a car.</p>
<p>Thanks for answeing hte question;</p>
<p>Any idea how much it will cost? </p>
<p>Or if there are cheaper alternatives further away from the dorm?</p>
<p>There is another off campus lot that is a storage lot that is much cheaper. Maybe $30 a month. I looked into it but I decided it was too far off campus. Its right next to the highway kinda south of campus near the railroad tracks. It fills up really quickly so I would look into it as soon as possible. Also you can park up at the campus on the weekends with that permit.</p>
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If you have the money having a car is totally worth it, especially as a freshman.
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<p>What irony. Most freshmen don't have hundreds of dollars for parking permits, or aren't willing to spend that much money on transportation their first year. A lot of people I've talked to find walking everywhere a liberating experience actually.</p>
<p>I'm a senior. I have a car. It's a pain. It's fun to have, but taking care of the thing is a pain, and people here really don't have much respect for vehicular traffic. I would say that having a car for a freshman IS NOT worth the trouble. If you are someone like me that has a lot of job interviews and stuff related to his fraternity he has to drive to/for, I'd say a car is worth it, but otherwise, don't bother.</p>
<p>I am considering attending cal in the fall and own a car. I don’t live with parents or anybody that could watch it for me close by. I have to find something to do with it and selling it is not an option. Would you suggest a parking garage?</p>
<p>If you have to ask the question about getting a car, you shouldn’t get it. My friends with cars only use it to get out of town, and with the exception of Fry’s, Costco, and Target, they walk everywhere like everyone else.</p>
<p>When I was a freshman, I thought I wanted a car. I don’t want one anymore. :)</p>
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<p>Look approximately 3mi+ away from campus and you should be able to find some relatively cheap monthly parking. It’ll be a 15min bus ride to get to your car, but once you’re there, you’re golden. If you use it less than once per week, the savings you get are equivalent to what you would have to pay to use a taxi to get from your apartment (or dorm) to the spot.</p>
<p>I live in Emeryville and I find it absolutely necessary to have a vehicle. AC Transit takes almost an hour to get from my house to the campus. Enduring that twice a day for 4 days a week is just too overbearing. </p>
<p>However, parking permits are around $300. Personally, I find it more convenient to pay for hourly parking in the roofed parking lot next to the gym as there is always open spots there. Cost is around $30 a week so it comes down to about $400 a semester.</p>