Housing/Safety

[pedsurgery]

Hey All,

I have recently been accepted for Jan '07 and I plan on attending! :-) Now for questions...

Is it necessary to have a car on the island?

Are there apts/houses available within walking distance from campus?

Does the University provide shuttles/security services for students? I bet that I will be spending a lot of time at the library..and I want to make sure it is safe to walk around at night, etc..

Thank You

[Andes]

1. No, you don't need a car on the island especally for first semester.
2. Housing is right beside the school.
3. The school doesn't provide security, or not that I know of. But, you won't need it because you'll be living so close to the school anyway.

[thedirtychemist]

Yup, the only way to get to your dorms is to walk. It's that close. You WOULD need some type of ride if you want to go anywhere else besides the Bottom to do your shopping.

[Strength&Honor]

Hey All,

I have recently been accepted for Jan '07 and I plan on attending! :-) Now for questions...

Really! Congrats on your acceptance! Of course, it's hard to believe you when you posted 6 days ago that your interview was going to be in a couple of weeks.

http://www.valuemd.com/495031-post1.html
There's nothing I hate more than dishonest peers.

[pedsurgery]

That post was 10 days ago...Luckily, I was given an earlier interview date the same week - and I found out this week that I was accepted. Others who have been accepted to SABA can tell you that they are very fast and efficient in getting back to you. I received a letter with in a few days.

Anyway, getting back to the original subject. Thanks for the responses. I plan on living in either hillside or matthews during first semester. I was actually wondering if there is housing available close to campus for semesters 2 - 5. I am hoping that I don't have to get a car after 1st semester.

[Andes]

After first semester you have to get housing outside of campus. Also there is a school bus that picks you up, and drops you off. So you don't really need a car.

[KingMo]

If you want some level of independence, you're def going to want a car. Just ask dirtychemist...

[sweetpeapotts]

If you want some level of independence, you're def going to want a car. Just ask dirtychemist...


KingMo does have a good point. I am sans auto and I always feel like I am begging for a ride or paying ridiculus prices for taxis (I live off campus way in Hells Gate far from everything). Saying that...I am not in a situation where I can buy a car so I just have to suck it up and live with what I have...so NO you don't NEED a car but I think it would make life sweeter...

my half a cent...

[thedirtychemist]

Yep! Having a car is a definite plus! Learn how to drive a stick while you're there so you have some experience.

I'm still terrorizing my passengers with my 50 mins of driving experience.. hehe.

[wanabedoctor]

No, you don't need a car at all.....and the island is safe. I know people who don't lock their apartment doors at night. I would say that Saba is safer than many places in the United States. But, you should use your common sense.....and that's all. Now about the car situation. I will not buy a car b/c it is not a necessity and I like to walk. Get your legs in shape before you come out to Saba b/c there are many hills and you should be alright. I am also living close to the school so I don't have to walk too much. And when I want to get to the other side of the island I either walk or hitch a ride (hitching is safe for anyone). You don't really need a car on a 5 square mile island. :cool:

[wolfvgang22]

A lot of studenst have recently been purchasing scooters, as they are very cheap on gas, and very easy to park.

The best thing for most incoming students is probably just to wait until you are in first semester on the island to consider purchasing a vehicle. Many people will be selling their scooters or cars as they are leaving the island. I'll be selling my Hyundai Accent this semester for around $2,500, complete with insurance through december and registration stickered until January, and I have a school parking permit sticker that doesn't expire (hint, hint - keep an eye on the classified forum!). $2,500 is the going rate for a decent car here. Scooters are cheaper, of course.

This semester, the school has started selling parking permit stickers at $60 each in order to get to park in the school parking lot. We were told this is because the island is getting quite crowded with student cars, and parking is getting scarce at the school.
From what I understand, there will be only so many stickers sold - equal to the number of parking spaces. The school won't be reclaiming stickers or permits from students, but instead allowing students to sell their stickers along with their cars. I think this may be because they don't want to encourage importation of more cars.
Without a sticker you can't park in the lot without getting a ticket, and you can't get your grades, etc without paying your ticket (standard practice at many universities).
I have also heard that the island government is now charging a $300 import fee on cars in an effort to slow importing of vehicles.

Also, an important heads up for students purchasing cars to know: If you get a traffic ticket on Saba, your car immediately, on the spot gets impounded and taken to the police station until you pay your fine. You then get to hitch hike home. I may be wrong, but fines seem variable. The number one way students get their car impounded is from not having an up to date vehicle registration sticker on their license plate. Stickers are sold to cover either 6 months(Jan-June) or to cover a whole calendar year(Jan-Dec). It's like $70 I think for a half year. Sometimes they forget to tell students this - it's not like in most U.S. states where you buy a sticker and it's good for one calendar year from date of purchase.
Happy Driving!

[rdecastro]

I don't know...I got a ticket last January (I didn't have my Saba license with me) and I just got a citation which I had to pay. Around $25 or so.

[wolfvgang22]

That's great! I'm glad they didn't impound your car, perhaps they are being more lenient these days. :)