<p>Can anyone bring a car, or are parking permits on campus limited? Where does one park if living in a dorm and how much does it cost? Thx.</p>
<p>I attended Explore yesterday, and the housing officer said that freshmen are allowed to bring cars, but he didn't recommend it. You have to purchase a parking pass and park in a parking structure on campus. I have no idea how much it costs though.</p>
<p>Oww, I was looking forward to getting a sweet car in America. The exchange rate is looking soooo tempting at the moment. I mean you blokes get Porche Boxsters for 40 grand! That's like a Camry here!</p>
<p>Did the housing officer say if spots are limited? LIke do upper classmen get first dibs at parking permits, or anything like that? I am wondering why he did not recommend it.</p>
<p>S is a freshman in the dorms and has a car. Anyone can buy a pass. There is a certain date and time when you can first purchase them and you have to go online and buy it. It's important to go exactly at that time or you won't get your first choice (closest to your dorm.) But if you don't get your first choice, there are always plenty of spaces at other lots a little farther away. You can check the campus map for lots once you get your housing assignment.
<a href="http://www.usc.edu/assets/maps/upc_map.pdf%5B/url%5D">http://www.usc.edu/assets/maps/upc_map.pdf</a></p>
<p>S is in PSX and usually has no problem getting a spot. You just don't want to try to get a spot on game day. Most of the spaces, however, are VERY small.</p>
<p>The schedule for purchasing a permit for 08-09 has not been released- sorry I can't remember when it was or the cost. Make sure you sign up for an account before you buy it so when the time comes to buy the pass, you won't waste time setting up the account.
USC</a> Auxiliary Services | Transportation | Permit Information</p>
<p>yeah anyone can buy a pass. Figure out the date and just run to it. :D</p>
<p>It's pretty expensive though like the good spots are like 500 dollars a sem while cheap ones (parking center) is around 250 a semester? (its far away and crappy. my car got broken into during the summer in that parking lot)</p>
<p>Parking structure is close to $400 a semester I think. The apartment buildings off campus offer parking lots that are cheaper ($200 a semester?), but there is less security. I have not known anyone who has had their car broken into but it's definitely more likely in the parking lot as opposed to the structure.</p>
<p>That was all incredibly helpful, thanks so much.</p>
<p>Getting a permit on campus can be tricky as many spaces go to Faculty/Staff, but there are 3 off campus structures which don't fill as quickly.</p>
<p>Normally parking goes on sale in May for everyone. The only catch is sometimes, it goes on sale before the housing assignments go out so that can be a problem if you are trying for a permit near your housing.</p>
<p>That being said, a car is not a necessity. I did not get one until I was a Sophomore, mainly because I wasn't a local and needed time to adjust to driving in LA. </p>
<p>As far as safety goes, I recommend the Parking Center which has the most security of any parking structure. The on campus structures can be a problem and I do know people who have had their cars stolen/vandalized in the on campus structures, but not the Parking Center.</p>