Boston University - Parking

Quick Stats

College Prowler Take

Most students advise that a car is both an unnecessary and expensive endeavor on the BU campus and in and around the city. Not only is parking ridiculously expensive, but your car will invariably wind up towed, ticketed, abused, and worn down. The cheapest way to park is to apply for a resident permit parking pass and park on the street. If you bring a car, heed this warning: Meter maids and towing companies are the city’s most effective resources. Even if you bring your car with the intention of driving to class, you'll most likely only end up circling the area five or six times until you're good and late for class, and then give up and head back home to bed.

Despite the ominous nature of the parking scene described above, if you do choose to bring a car, you will always have a quick way out of town, to head home, to a concert, a rave, or a festival. You will find that someone is always willing to pay for your gas for a ride. But then again, you might find yourself spending half of your life looking for parking. According to an advertisement in the T station says, “The average adult spends 370 hours a year looking for parking, and 285 hours a year having sex.” If that statistic is true, which it undoubtedly is, leave your car home.

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Students Speak Out

BUel says: Boston University 2014 Business

Generally, freshmen do not bring... Generally, freshmen do not bring their cars, mainly because they are not needed. Parking can be a hassle due to high parking fees, lack of space, and parking lot availabilities. Cars are overall discouraged. 12345 Parking: March 11, 2009 Report

BUND says: Boston University 2014 Social Sciences

Parking sucks, and it costs way... Parking sucks, and it costs way too much. Freshmen can have cars but hardly anyone does because everything is close and we have other transportation. 12345 Parking: February 25, 2009 Report

BUNN says: Boston University 2013 Psychology

Parking on campus is horrible. You... Parking on campus is horrible. You can only park in certain lots at certain times during the day, and unless you're lucky, you will rarely find on-street parking. It's best to either take the T or walk. 12345 Parking: February 25, 2009 Report

BUKP says: Boston University 2014 Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

It is extremely unreasonable for... It is extremely unreasonable for someone to have a car on campus. Being in the city, parking is a rare commodity. Also, if you want to purchase a parking permit, it is extremely expensive. Also, it's not extremely safe to have a car on campus. Because it's in the city, one must park on the street, and it's not uncommon to have a car broken into. 12345 Parking: February 24, 2009 Report

BUJH says: Boston University 2014 Education

Don't bring a car! You're in... Don't bring a car! You're in Boston-just use public transportation. 12345 Parking: February 21, 2009 Report

Did You Know?

Best Places to Find a Parking Spot
If you do not have a permit and you are looking for a spot on campus, you will rarely find a space on Commonwealth Avenue during your first sweep. Be prepared to go around in circles for a few minutes before finding a decent spot, but because they are lined up one after another, something will most likely eventually pop up. If you are headed to class, taking your car is rarely a time saver. Your first reflex may be to hop in the car instead of waiting for the T, but don’t. The virtue of the T is that it always comes. It’s not the same for parking. Sometimes, if you check Cummington Street or Bay State Road, there are some open spots. Also, the further away from central campus, the easier it is to park; check down by Kenmore Square

Good Luck Getting a Parking Spot Here!
It is basically impossible to find a spot anywhere around east campus on a Red Sox game day. Fenway Park is right around the corner from BU, and there are hoards of people . . . and their cars. Don’t get stuck looking for a spot anywhere near there on game day, unless you are prepared to pay the 20 bucks for parking.

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