new kid from MD

[WRXtranceformed]

Rent is pretty cheap down there, average is gonna be like 300-350 a month. You might want to think twice about keeping your car down there if you really care about it. My old WRX was keyed 360 degrees around the car and I heard lots of stories about nice cars getting bricks thrown through windshields, mirrors kicked off, etc. I had a beater at home so I just drove that around at school.

[Jake]

You can park at Hunter's Ridge. It's an apt/townhouse area right near campus, and there's one street that a ton of freshmen park on, and nobody gets ticketed because legally you're allowed to park there. I've had my car there for about 3 weeks and it's been fine, and my friend has had her Civic there since October.

Don't park in Wal Mart - the friend with the Civic tried that, and got a note saying to never park overnight there again, or they would tow her.

It sucks not having a car for the MM stuff but in all honesty, you will do just fine without it, too.

[ViPER1313]

I just sucked it up and didn't bring my car Freshman year - it's really not that big of a deal, and having your car off campus while living on campus is a major PITA.

[Jake]

having your car off campus while living on campus is a major PITA.

Yeah, it is. I've only had it the past few weeks because I've needed to go home for summer job interviews and stuff. It's going back this weekend for good.

And really, the buses are great around here, and if you can't find a route that will take you somewhere, you'll have an upperclass friend who will give you a ride.

[rezarxt]

Okay it sounds like ill try those apartments for atleast part of the time. I guess if i leave it at home atleast I wont need to blow money on gas. Thanks for the tips

[ScottyB]

ride a bike, its cheaper, usually faster and you won't feel any guilt after drinking beer all weekend because you'll work it off!

then with the gas money saved, bring your car sophomore year and treat it to a nice mod or two.

[WRXtranceformed]

Parking alone in and around campus is a complete pain in the dick even when you're an upperclassman, so if you're ok with riding a bike (I personally hate bikes so I always drove and parked in a few secret spots I found ) you'll save yourself a lot of money on parking passes, possible parking tickets, and gas. Not to mention dents in your car from the terrible JMU drivers!

[Madden]

yeah seriously! I'm terrfied of dents.
Some kids around here have no idea how to drive or park.
I always park at the back of the lots.
I tried the parking deck, but I almost got crushed twice by some idiots who have no idea how to drive in a parking garage

[rezarxt]

I was thinking about getting a sport bike/motorcycle. My sister (believe it or not) rides and so does my father. What does a decent used sport bike run you? 5k?

I figure if I buy a used one, get my license, try it for a while, and if i dont like it, Ill sell it. Im def up for giving it a chance.

As for an actual bike bike, Id have to think about it. I mean it seems like its pretty easy campus to walk. Especially with the tunnel.

[Sijray21]

I was thinking about getting a sport bike/motorcycle. My sister (believe it or not) rides and so does my father. What does a decent used sport bike run you? 5k?

I figure if I buy a used one, get my license, try it for a while, and if i dont like it, Ill sell it. Im def up for giving it a chance.

As for an actual bike bike, Id have to think about it. I mean it seems like its pretty easy campus to walk. Especially with the tunnel.

i completely agree with this idea. i really wish i had a motorcycle at JMU - great roads and parking is easy.

a cheap bicycle is also a great idea. Use a car if you're off campus if you need to lug around stuff or people.

[Jake]

As for an actual bike bike, Id have to think about it. I mean it seems like its pretty easy campus to walk. Especially with the tunnel.

It's really easy to walk. I can get to ISAT from my dorm (near the football stadium) in 15 minutes, and most other places in 15 or less for that matter. Plus, the buses are good and run most everywhere.

I had a bike (not motorcycle) for a few months here. It was a pain because everything is uphill from my dorm, so I'd shower, leave for class, and get all sweaty just riding to class. Not worth it when walking only takes a few minutes more.

[rezarxt]

Yeah walking/buses are the best bet it seems like. If I have some extra money to play around with, I might look into a sport bike or something next year. But I want to make sure I have some $ saved to help pay for an apartment sophmore year. Ill have to wait and see what situation Im in before I get too serious about buying one.

[DavidM]

With a motorcycle freshman year you have the same problems as with a car. You can't have it on campus and I'd be even more hesitant to leave my bike parked on a street off campus. That said, as a rider I would deffinately suggest looking into it, I would suggest taking some kind of rider course, i took the MSF beginner rider course and it was great, before buying a bike but if you enjoy that i'd say go for it. I bought my bike (a suzuki GS500f) for 3K and its only an 04 so if you were willing to go older than that you could get one for cheaper.

To reiterate what everyone else has said having a car (or motorcycle) while your living on campus is more hassle than its worth. As much as i would have liked to have gone on a ride this past weekend its not worth the worry and the risk that something would happen to it while it was parked somewhere.

[rezarxt]

Alright you guys have convinced me to leave my car @ home for the first year. I guess its better than shelling out 400-500$ to get my door repainted after a dent or two. Im still going to look into a sport bike. I was talking to this kid at my school today whos been riding since he was 16. If i remember correctly he said he had a suzuki gxr. He said he was t-boned at a stop sign and totalled his first bike. I guess you live and learn. Ill try to head down for the car show if I can get off work. Im starting a new job at Home Depot and I dont want to ask for too many days off since its the first decent paying job in highschool and I need it to afford my car. I guess I shouldnt be bitching about needing money to a bunch of college students though haha

[l33t Mr2]

I would suggest leaving the car at home until you find a good place to keep it here. I brought my car down the second semester of freshman year and kept it at one of my upperclassmen friend's house during the week and brought it onto campus near my dorm during the weekends. But, I wouldn't have left it anywhere else where it would have been in danger of being vandalized like hunter's ridge.