<p>Hey everyone, I was recently accepted to Cornell for the spring semester. I live about two and a half hours away from Ithaca, so I will have to use my car every time to get there and back. Then I found out about the ridiculous prices just to park on or off campus for the semester. I have been looking around online for parking rates and so on, but then I remembered parking in the garage next to Schoelkopf Field for my interview at ILR, for free! Once again, I tried to look around the Internet for any possible garage parking fees, but I was unable to. Does anyone know if parking in the garage is free at all? While at it, does anyone know of any free parking spaces on campus in general? Money is tight, so I do not really want to pay like $500 per semester just to park a vehicle I will probably use only a few times, but mainly just for the drive back home. Thanks!</p>
<p>Many off-campus apartments on West, North, and in Collegetown come with off-street parking. Otherwise, the University discourages students from bringing cars to campus, and this is why the parking fees are so high.</p>
<p>If you only plan on returning home around breaks, there will be carpool opportunities.</p>
<p>I am not sure exactly what your question is. If you are thinking about using your car to drive to campus/classes each day and parking near classes that is not really an option. The student parking areas are on the fringe of campus ... not convenient for day-to-day use ... but OK while waiting for the rides home or weekend trips off-campus or out of town.</p>
<p>Yeah I know a couple of people who live near me and attend Cornell U and Ithaca C, so I might just try to carpool with them. Otherwise, I will be stuck with paying for a permit :/.</p>
<p>I know. I will walk to classes daily, it is not a big deal to me. I just plan to park the car there for as long as I stay until I go back home for the weekend or whatever. I imagine many face the same problem. The car would also be useful if I wanted to go somewhere that was like 10-20 miles away, but I would try to limit those trips. However, the garage near Schoelkopf still seems like a good place to park the car permanently, for free :D. I did it before for a day and received no ticket or anything. Would it be safe to do that again? Or would I definitely get a ticket after a day or so? Haha</p>
<p>You would definitely get a ticket.</p>
<p>Yeah....the parking garage is not free. I believe it's $6 for half day permit and $10 for a full day permit. Cornell really does enforce parking....I drove my friend's car to campus, couldn't find a spot and left the car somewhere random b/c I was going to be late...I was not gone more than 5 minutes and got a ticket. </p>
<p>I only lived 2 hours from campus and didn't bother with a car....either my parents came to get me...or I often drove a friend's car home so they didn't have to leave it unattended during winter and spring break.</p>
<p>Ouch, I guess it's carpooling for me :(.</p>
<p>My daughter had a car last spring and this fall. She doesn't use her car to go to classes. She uses her to go off campus to buy food on weekends and go to her off campus teaching job. It is very convenient for her, and I imagine she probably gives rides to people also. She parked at a fraternity parking lot last spring, this fall she sometimes got free parking on the street or paid the meter. I think 50% of her friends have cars. It's not a must, but it doesn't strike me as that difficult to get parking either.</p>
<p>Yeah I'll probably have to look further into this issue. I wouldn't mind carpooling, but then I might need a car to do things off-campus. I'm pretty sure many students feel the same way. It would be expensive, but it might be worth it in the long run. Thanks for the advice guys!</p>
<p>It's worth noting that TCAT offers a pretty convenient bus service to most popular off-campus locations. Passes are free for freshmen. </p>
<p>I know of maybe one friend who owns a car here, and he uses it for an off-campus job. I don't think that most people will find themselves going off-campus often enough to justify paying for a parking spot.</p>
<p>Yeah tchaikovskypiano, I think I'll take a look at the bus pass, because at least it is in-between using a car and walking. The only issue I would have is getting to Cornell from Utica, NY, which is about 2.5 hours away. I'll probably make this trip every other week to visit family. Carpooling may be the solution.</p>
<p>Utica?!?! I grew up in Cooperstown :-)</p>
<p>talk to frat's, i think some of the ones on west lease out their parking spots for a lot less than the University charges, that might be a better option</p>
<p>dewdrop87: Wow that's not too far away! I can't stand living in Utica anymore lol. I think the weather in Ithaca is considered worse, no idea how, but it'll still be a huge change for me. :D</p>
<p>awkaplan: Yeah I read something online about that. It might be a good alternative. I'll have to look further into it. Thanks!</p>
<p>Yeah....I'm not a huge fan of Utica....but I spent a lot of time there for swim meets and in New Hartford at Sangertown...which is slowly becoming a craptastic mall</p>
<p>Yeah, Sangertown is slowly declining, and sinking (literally). The best thing to happen there in years was when Dick's Sporting Goods moved in just last month haha. Any city is better than Utica, especially Ithaca and I've only been there twice!</p>
<p>Just to get things going again, any other advice, personal experiences, or information on Cornell parking?</p>
<p>there are metered lots on thurston and stewart... ithaca meters and I think they are for 12 hours. You can usually find parking there. i had a friend who commuted from the other side of town and parked there while she was on campus.</p>
<p>For the Ithaca meters, do you know how much they charge per hour? A place to permanently park for cheap or free would be even better, but meters are probably good temporarily. Thanks!</p>