Seattle University - Parking

Quick Stats

College Prowler Take

Parking has been a problem not just at Seattle University but on First Hill and Capitol Hill for years and probably will continue to be even with the forthcoming expansion of public transit. If by any means you can get by without a car, do so, or you will have to be prepared to occasionally arrive 10 minutes later than normal and find the lots full. That might seem like an exaggeration, but there aren’t enough spots for the number of students who do drive, and given how expensive passes actually are, it is probably a better idea to just pick up one of the discounted bus passes from public safety and be prepared to stand at a Metro stop every morning and evening.

That being said, if you do choose to drive, the hill above campus is your best bet to find a spot, but even then you have to get there early, and you are never guaranteed a spot. Don’t even bother trying anywhere along 12th Avenue or Madison, and even Jefferson can get to be a headache on occasion. The Residential Parking Zone program is an option from the city of Seattle, but those passes are only available to residents of a neighborhood, and they cost about $45 for a single cycle (usually two years, though some last only one). There is also always the option of parking in a lot, but that can be more of a hassle than it is worth sometimes.

In the end, the park and ride system might be the best bet for those living off campus (especially far out in places like West Seattle or Rainier Valley), as you would still have the independence that owning a car can bring but would not have to deal with the nightmare that is First Hill/Capitol Hill parking. If you’re living on campus, don’t bring one unless you really see it as essential to your lifestyle. It is easy, however, to learn to live without one.
 

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Students Speak Out

website489 says: Seattle University 2013 Business

Affordable Parking? C+ Parking on campus can be awful. There are parking spaces available but they are too expensive. Parking permits cost too much, even if your parking your car for only one hour. But this would only be a situation if you have a car. The campus itself is not big. One end of the campus to the other takes about ten minutes on foot. Food and shopping destinations are in walking distance also. 12345 Parking: March 08, 2010 Report

Anonymous says:

Parking can be rough and... Parking can be rough and expensive. It is best not to have a car, if you can help it. You really don’t need one. 12345 Parking Report

Anonymous says:

The lot gets full during the day,... The lot gets full during the day, but if you don’t drive a zillion times a day, you should be fine. I recommend campus parking; it’s much easier than street parking. 12345 Parking Report

Anonymous says:

Parking on and around campus is... Parking on and around campus is terrible. On-campus parking is extremely expensive, and at times, you still have to drive around for over 20 minutes to find a spot in one of the lots. Parking near campus is fine if you are coming to campus before 7 a.m. or after 9 p.m.; otherwise, it’s nearly impossible to find a spot. Plus, break-ins are extremely common on the streets surrounding the campus. 12345 Parking Report

Anonymous says:

If you buy a campus pass, parking... If you buy a campus pass, parking isn’t too bad. Otherwise, it can take a lot of time to find a spot to park on the street. 12345 Parking Report

Did You Know?

Best Places to Find a Parking Spot
The Murphy Apartment Garage is a good bet, but you need a parking pass to be able to get a spot. If you don’t want one or can’t afford it, the few blocks above campus are a better bet than most areas.

Good Luck Getting a Parking Spot Here!
12th Avenue

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