New University student - trying to work out when she should take the car

AdrianC

born_again said:

jimjames said:

It sounds quite unusual to have a campus so remote with no transport links to it? My son didn't take his car to uni but did have a bike and also walked a lot. He was around 3 miles out from campus but didn't ever feel a car would have been needed.

Askham Bryan College, is a good 6 miles out of York and is on country lanes. Certainly would not want to walk from there into town.

Lovely, but there's shuttle buses from campus to town.

https://www.askham-bryan.ac.uk/students/student-transport

The question was whether the shuttle bus dropped off near to the parentally-approved supermarket or not. If not, perhaps walking from the town stop to the supermarket...?

This is why I expressed surprise at the supermarket in question being down two miles of unlit roads from the nearest campus shuttle bus stop...

AdrianC said:

Two miles from where the bus stops to these cheap supermarkets, along unlit roads?

Goldwing1

She's staying in Halls for the first year. After that a car will be essential. 

Herzlos

Goldwing1 said:

She's staying in Halls for the first year. After that a car will be essential. 

In that case I'd recommend *not* taking a car. If she's got a car she's going to have to deal with the hassle of parking it (I'm not sure any halls ever have ample parking) and will spend half of her free time playing taxi. It'll be more sociable and less hassle to just use public transport and taxis with everyone else.

Ibrahim5

I was quite old before I realized the phenomenon of the person who can only leave home in a car. Without a car they are housebound. They can't leave the house on foot and are incapable of using any other form of transport. When they have offspring they are worried that they too will be housebound. So they force them into cars at the first opportunity. It's all they know. Each child has to have their own car so you can often spot these families.

Goldwing1

Oh for goodness sake, I asked for FINANCIAL advice.

Forget I asked. 

Ibrahim5

Goldwing1 said:

Oh for goodness sake, I asked for FINANCIAL advice.

Forget I asked. 

Financial advice is that running a car is the most expensive form of transport for a student. Much cheaper to walk, cycle, bus, Uber

jimjames

Goldwing1 said:

My daughter has confirmed her university place and will be going there on 26th September. Although the University runs a shuttle bus, we think she will need a car. 

This bit stuck out to me. I'd really suggest waiting at least until after the first year. You may think she needs a car but most students manage perfectly well without one and it is an extra responsibility that they could probably do without. 

But if you are going ahead then the cheaper option would make sense. It'll be even more money saving to leave the car at home to use in the holidays though if you're looking for financial suggestions.

Emmia

Does the uni even allow students to park for free, or is there a permit system attracting a charge.

Personally I think she has no need of a car when at Uni - use taxi's, the shuttle bus, walking etc. it's good for her to be independent.

Who is funding the running costs - insurance, petrol, breakdown cover, servicing etc. If it's your daughter (which IMO it should be...) she's probably got other things to spend her money on.

Robin9

Do the supermarkets in York deliver ?

Cisco001

Goldwing1 said:

She's staying in Halls for the first year. After that a car will be essential. 

Worry about it later!

She can always rent a place near bus route next year.