It might seem early to start thinking about college transportation, especially when your kids are still navigating high school. Traditional commuter colleges often have student-friendly apartments nearby, and the beauty of commuter life is the potential cost savings of living at home. Even prestigious universities are facing housing shortages, with dorm living typically guaranteed for only the first year or two. Some students even choose community college for a couple of years to manage expenses. Therefore, making concrete transportation plans right now might be premature. It’s wiser to wait until college acceptance letters arrive to truly assess transportation needs.
In the meantime, resist the urge to make drastic car changes. Keeping your current Family Cars running for a few more years is a practical approach, unless major, impractical repairs become necessary. Then, college decisions can be based on academic fit, not urgent vehicle replacements. Now is an excellent time to involve your kids in this planning process. If they’re college-bound, this is a fantastic opportunity to develop their analytical skills. Consider the potential transportation needs based on their academic pursuits, the reliability of your current family cars, fuel efficiency, and whether a car is primarily for residential settings or for trips back home and occasional errands.
Think about your child’s social habits too. Will they be responsible for driving friends around, or would a less passenger-friendly vehicle be a better choice? If they’ll be hauling belongings to college, cargo space becomes a key factor in choosing the right family car. There are numerous elements to consider, but you have time to explore them thoughtfully while also addressing your own family car needs. Engage with your kids in this interesting project, framing personal transportation as a matter of smart planning, not just something parents provide. You could even make it a fun exercise: the child who presents the most insightful needs analysis gets greater consideration in the final family car decision. The less proactive one might just have to be happy with whatever family car option remains!
