<p>So...what's the parking situation like at UCLA? Is it not very likely for an incoming freshman to be able to get a parking pass in order to park on campus? I've heard it's pretty crazy since it's such a big school.</p>
<p>I guess I don't really NEED to park on campus. I live about an hour away right now...I guess if I wanted to visit my family on the weekend they could run down and pick me up, but that is kind of a pain for them. Plus I'm really used to having my own car because I've had one for about a year and a half now. Basically I'd really prefer to be able to park on campus...but is this likely? Any input is appreciated.</p>
<p>hEY, i'M GIVING UP MY CAR (05 ACCORD COUPE V6) FOR A CHANCE TO BE A BRUIN. IF I PICKED MY SECOND CHOICE, I WOULD BE ABLE TO BRING MY CAR.
IT CAN'T BE THAT BAD. ME, YOU, AND THE REST OF C/O 2010 ARE GOING TO MAKE SOME SACRIFICES TO BE A BRUIN (NOT TO MENTION LIVING IN TRIPLES...)
PLUS YOU MIGHT WANNA GET TO KNOW THE PLACE BEFORE YOU BRING YOUR CAR. ON THE BRIGHT SIDE, I'M SAVING MONEY ON INSURANCE BY NOT DRIVING.</p>
<p>It is not likely you can get parking as a freshman. If you really really need a car, you can always go on craigslist.org or the my.ucla forums and search for someone in an apartment that is renting their space out. It will probably cost more than parking for a quarter at UCLA but it is a good option if you need a car.</p>
<p>There's really no need for you to have parking as a freshman if your only need for it is for the occassional trip home. Parking is both hard to get and expensive. You are guaranteed parking on campus if you are a Regent's Scholar but you still have to pay, and I believe it something upwards of $700 a year. If you are not RSS or an athlete or someone like that, you have to enter a crapshoot lottery which you have to basically lie to win. You can rent a spot from someone in the apartments off campus, but that'll run you upwards of $300 a quarter.</p>
<p>Either way, parking in LA, let alone driving in LA, sucks, and this is from someone who's lived in So Cal all their life. Between my apartmentmates this year alone, we've had some damaged bumpers, dirtied cars, scratches on the exterior, and even one car towed from a few weeks where we had to park one (out of three cars) on the street (was still looking for another spot). It could be worse, I've seen a car totalled by parking on the street where an accident took place (a Benze nonetheless). It's not like you need to go buy groceries or are likely to have an off campus job as a freshman. Between the bus, taxis, and friends who do have cars, you'll have enough transportation to go anywhere fun you want to go in LA. And most likely, your folks will be cool with picking you up to go home, or you will find someone else who is on the way in that direction.</p>
<p>Oh man... an auto (ugh)... But I had to compromise cuz my parents wanted me to get the sedan and I wanted the coupe (and they hate manual for some reason). So no downshifting for me...</p>
<p>If you think about it, the insurance money your gonna save will allow you to put downpayment on a new car :)</p>
<p>Thanks for the input...so basically there is adequate transportation to get to places in LA through taxis, buses, and hitching rides with people who do have cars? That's my biggest concern...I enjoy the independence a car gives me, but I gotta admit that after seeing the area I would rather not drive around there. So as long as you can get to places without much trouble, I'm fine with leaving the car behind.</p>
<p>Say we somehow do get a parking permit by luck in the lottery. Does the permit guarentee you a parking spot everyday? And if so, where? Near your residence hall or plaza or is it just the luck of where you happen to find a parking spot to leave your car overnight?</p>
<p>You're asked to choose from a list of the parking lot structures and list around 3 in the order of preference (logically you'd pick the parking structure right next to your dorm). You should always have parking, and if for some reason you don't, you're given a list of other options to park when you get your permit. Your permit is only designated for one parking structure, and parking lot enforcers are actually constantly out there enforcing the policy (at least for the DD structure).</p>