Relcating to Chicago should I take my car?

Question

I am transferring to Columbia College in the spring. I will have to work in addition to going to school. I plan to find a job within the city. I am also staying on campus. I was told to sale my car or leave it home. Ive been to chicago a couple of times but I am not 100 percent sure if I should take my car.

Answer 1

I would weigh the options since Columbia College usually have parking passes for their students, but that can be costly for some people. I would use the school's lot if you want to have your car, but because you'll be downtown near a lot of stores like Linens and Things, Target, Starbucks, Whole Foods Market, Panera Bread, DSW shoe store, Office Depot, Petsmart, and soon to be Best Buy and other stores so it's all accessable by a quick bus ride or walking. I would find out about the parking before you come to Chicago to give yourself enough time to decide whether to keep or sell the car.

Answer 2

You don't *need* a car in Chicago, though it comes in handy. The Columbia College area is in the South Loop, in a very walkable area surrounded by public transportation. So you don't have to have a car. But there are times - picking up groceries, getting to remote locations like the suburbs, etc. - that it's handy. If you can find a parking spot or garage in which you're willing to just leave the car most of the time - it'll probably be about $150 a month - then go for it, it'll be handy now and then. If you can't afford that, you should be OK while in college without the car. You can always rent one if you need it - in fact, there's a Zip Cars place at Wabash and 8th Street, just across from the main Columbia College building.

Answer 3

It really depends how far you are going to live from school and your job. If it's walking distance, or you can take the bus or train, then sell it. Parking is such a pain in the butt down there, and many times the public trans will take about as much time as you would spend sitting in traffic and looking for a parking space that you won't get towed from. You can always purchase a car when you get here if you find that you really need one, but many people that live and work in the city don't bother with a car because it's more trouble than it's worth.

Answer 4

If you can't keep it on campus, you'll have to either leave it on a city street, or pay to park it somewhere. Depending on what the neighborhoods are like, that could be risky or expensive.

Lots of Chicago has good public transportation. Contact the college to find out what's available in that area. I would consider leaving the car home at first, and decide to sell it or bring it there once you know more about the area.

Answer 5

Well, if you have a car already, I'd say bring it. Granted, it can be a little costly.... city sticker, state license plate, parking sometimes, gas. And with our usuallly reliable public transportation, you can get from one end of the city to the other for about $2. But a car comes in handy. For instance, going to the grocery store is a hassle if you have to lug those heavy plastic shopping bags on the bus back to your place. And you'll occasionaly need a break from standing on that freezing bus stop in the winter time to get to work. There are also many sights and things to do just outside of the city limits that are difficult or impossible to get to via public transportation. Finally, ROAD TRIP! Milwaukee, Starved Rock State Park, Galena, etc. There are a lot of cool places to go when you need to get a way for a day or two and a car is the best way to get there.

Like I said, if you already have a car, bring it. The city and state fees (about $75 a year for each) aren't that bad when you consider how convenient it will be to have one. And there's no rule that says you have to drive it every single day, so don't sweat the gas thing too much. All you have to do is just watch where you park, read the signs on not parking in a certain spot during certain hours, move you car on street cleaning days and feed the meters if you park in front of one. I have a car, a Jeep Wrangler, and I wouldn't exchange the days I get to drive it with the top down on Lake Shore Drive in the summer for anything.

Answer 6

you may get surely everywhere in Chicago by utilising bus or prepare. it particularly is going to probable be lots greater fee-effective to get around and not using a vehicle because of the fact of parking costs and gasoline. For convenience and out of laziness Chicagoans nonetheless prefer to tension everywhere besides the shown fact that it easily isn't mandatory by any means. except you intend to be out at 3:30 am on a sunday the trains run almost forever. some bus routes are in basic terms throughout rush hours, yet generally it is not a undertaking. while you're caught someplace previous due at evening you may get a cab, and the costliest cab journey i've got ever taken in Chicago exchange into 15 dollars. not something is lots sufficient to cost you an arm and a leg.

Answer 7

If you're going to live on or near Columbia's campus I recommend you don't bring the car. It's more of a hassle than it's worth.

Answer 8

leave it or sell it. Parking over there is such a pain. You can call the campus and ask them if they have student parking. I don't think they do, but if they do it's gona cost an arm and leg.

Answer 9

don't take it
Parking is such a pain there