Emerson CollegeParking Summary

Written by Vanessa Willoughby

Vanessa Willoughby

Hometown

Waterford, CT

Major

Writing, Literature and Publishing

View all previous student authors

It looks like the students agree—parking in Boston is awful. Wait, did we say awful? We meant incredibly, unbearably awful. So awful, you’re better off parachuting in from a passing jet than driving in. Yeah, it’s that bad. From the permit-parking-only spots to the lane closures to the exorbitant fees for parking lots, it’s virtually a lost cause. Although many students consider taking their cars to college, at Emerson—and most other schools in Boston—it’s neither smart nor necessary. Students who live off campus and attempt to drive to school for the first time soon realize that not only does it take twice as long to navigate the streets as it does to ride the bus, but it’s also likely to spike your blood pressure about 30 points. And that’s just getting there. By the time you find a parking spot, you will have missed most of your class and will probably be so frustrated that the sidewalk looks like a reasonable spot to stash your car.

If you’re willing to drop a fistful of cash, you can park in a nearby parking garage, which might seem reasonable to those who love their whips and can’t imagine leaving them at home. But be warned: Due to the throngs of pedestrians, countless potholes, never-ending construction, and Boston’s terrible drivers, cruising in Boston is nightmarish.