<p>Bike or roller blades for getting around next year? Also, is there a discount taxi fare for getting to the school from the airport (on move in day)?</p>
<p>Haven't seen too many roller blades around campus. Maybe you could start a trend. There's a fair amount of people who bike around campus regularly, and there are a good amount of bike racks. I'm thinking of doing this when I move off campus next semester. Personally, walking seems to work the best for me, and as you will see campus buses are always a good choice here (even though you're guaranteed to be frustrated by them here and there).</p>
<p>I don't know of a discount taxi fare from the airport. That would be nice. There is a taxi company at the airport, and it's rather convenient, however it ends up being 30-40 dollars to get to campus. Most students try to find a couple of other students to share the fare with if they're taking a taxi to campus. Wear your Duke shirt, and don't be afraid to talk to other college aged students in Duke shirts at the airport (they're probably wondering the same thing you are).</p>
<p>Depending on how close you live and how easily you could get your car down here, I would personally HIGHLY RECOMMEND that you have a car here. Obviously to go to class you would take the bus, since there's nowhere to park on West Campus during the day, but after 5 pm you can pretty much park anywhere you want, and having a car is really very very very convenient if you need to go to West at night for some reason. Also, it's good to be able to get out of Duke once in a while, even if it's just to drive down the road to grab some fast food or driving to the REALLY REALLY nice mall 15 minutes away. Oh, and Target/Kroger runs are ALWAYS necessary, and I guess you can ask your roommate or your friends who have cars to take you, but it's just so much more convenient to have your own car, especially if you're lazy and you're not thick-skinned enough to always take advantage of people for rides (ie, me). I had my car shipped from California after a month of school because I realized how painful it was not having my car here. Durham is not one of those college towns where the university is ALL there is--there's definitely a lot to explore and just trust me when I say that you will be very happy if you have a car here.</p>
<p>But a car is not a must have. It certainly is very convenient, I don't think anyone should think that a car is essential. As for airport transportation, Duke has been known to offer free shuttles on select days before and after breaks. The problem is they run on a set schedule and you have to reserve a spot. Other than that, calling for a taxi usually runs 30-40 which isn't bad if split between 3 people. There are also instances of student run shuttle service (ie a person with a car trying to make money)...idk about those since I never try them. Of course, if you happen to know someone with a car, then you can always just ask for rides :D</p>
<p>just so you know...having twenty people suddenly become my "friends" a few days before a break starts is not really very pleasant</p>
<p>i think a car is crucial. like i said, if it won't break your back, consider having one here. you will be so grateful. and so will the people who you would have potentially be bugging about rides all the time.</p>
<p>Can freshman bring cars?</p>
<p>Yes, freshmen can have cars.</p>
<p>And no, it isn't essential. It's nice, it's convenient, but not essential. Actually, it's probably most convenient for freshmen just because of the location of parking lots in relation to the freshman dorms. </p>
<p>My Duke freshman son does not have a car on campus. (This was his choice, largely because he is responsible for his own car insurance and spending money. It's much less expensive to store his car while he's away.) I'd estimate that 1/3 of his friends have cars. I don't think that he has felt particularly constrained, nor do I think that he has had to beg for rides. I know he has made innumerable trips to Target, Southpointe, restaurants, etc. because his friends were going and they wanted him along. I don't think it's a big deal.</p>
<p>Bottom line- either way works fine!</p>
<p>like i said...for the third friggin time...</p>
<p>bring a car if it's easy for you to do so. obviously my needs for a car supercede that of most people since i had to spend over a thousand dollars to have it shipped from Los Angeles to Durham, but if you can make the trip to Duke in six hours or so and you won't be under a ton of financial burden for bringing your car, please do it.</p>
<p>No need to get impatient, everyone is entitled to his/her own opinion and obviously not everyone can afford to or want to maintain a car at Duke. Also some people just don't want to drive their car up to 6 hours to Duke, then back home. For me, traffic from Washington to about Richmond can get pretty bad, especially during the holidays. So driving a car back and forth really isn't so great. And having a car and flying back and forth is just too expensive. So either I have a car and drive it up and down east coast, or I don't and fly.</p>
<p>woooah, lilpixytiff-</p>
<p>in case you're wondering, my post was not a response to yours, specifically. just another observation.</p>
<p>peace.</p>
<p>mafool</p>