buying a car in JAX

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flyallday

Well-Known Member
I am highly considering going to ATP but wanted to ask a few questions about going down to JAX to start my PPL training with no car.

Is it possible to go to ATP with out having a car? Im sure it is but is it a big pain in the neck? How far are the apartments from the airport?



I dont have a car now and I only have around 2k to spend on a car. So I dont trust buying a hunk of junk here in NYC and driving down to JAX.

When can you move into the apartments before you start? A week?

Has anybody been to JAX without a car and had enough time before starting the program to buy a car, get it insured, license plates, and registered?
 
Hi flyallday. I'm starting the Private course in JAX on July 5th. I don't have a car either. Since I'll only be there for two months, I don't really want to shell out thousands for a car, insurance, gas, etc. I plan on relying on a bicycle and public transportation. I haven't had a car for two years, and I must say I don't miss it. I've been able to get by just renting when I need one for long trips. It's been much more economical as well. I've never been to Florida or Jacksonville. Do they shoot bicyclists and pedestrians down there
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Well, if you ride your bike from the apartments to the airport it will take at least 45 minutes to get to the airport. It takes 20-25 minutes by car and it's all boulevards. As far as public transportation, calling a cab is the only option. A bus doesn't run from anywhere around the apartments to any where around the airport. Your choices are, buy a car or hitch rides with people that have a car.
 
That may not be realistic. The USA is not as bicycle-oriented as Europe, so there are no bike paths next to roads, etc.

The apartments in Jax are quite a distance from the airport. Public transport is also terrible compared to Europe. The US is far more car-oriented.
 
Thanks for the input on the bicycling and public transportation in Jacksonville. I've never been there; so I really don't know what to expect. I won't be able to buy a car. I simply don't have the money for it. Are people generally pretty good about carpooling, if schedules permit? I would, of course, expect to pitch in for gas.
 
You can always buy a little motor scooter/ vespa type thing. It may not be the "coolest" thing ever, but when you are scraping buy on mac and cheese who cares. It will get you to and from the airport and thats all you really need, right?
 
Superb idea! Fortunatley, I do have a motorcycle license. I've been checking out some old beaters in the classifieds, and it looks like I could get something for around $500-$700. Insurance is cheap, and, yes, it would get me back and forth to the airport.

Regarding the Vespa, we used to have Vespa gangs in Denver. It was kind of trendy for a while. I still think they're cool.
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I've been talking to someone currently in the 90-day program (just finished the pvt) at Jax and they were saying that not having your own mode of transportation makes it nearly impossible to do the program.

From what I gather the "class" is together for the first couple weeks (ie, the same schedule) but after that everyone has their own times and so on. In the 90 day program it gets even more difficult (from what I hear, impossible/annoying to others in your program) to be carpooling all the time. Everyone's schedule is just too different and you can't rely on others to get you to and from the airport/apartment.

I hear one person is actually renting a car down there for the program? Don't know how practical that is though. I think I would be looking into a motorcycle/scooter rather than a bike though. A motor cycle is probably the best bet if you are looking to get away cheap. I don't think there are sidewalks on most of those roads from as far as I remember. I hear one of the students is trying to sell a jeep cherokee though, needs some work to get it going but it can be had for under $1000.

Tim
 
Hey Tim. Are you planning on buying a car down there or are you driving your own.

Anybody know any websites to look for cars around JAX?
 
I actually just bought a Civic as I knew I would be needing something reliable for the next few years. Payments aren't killing me too bad and it gets 40 MPG. They allow you to take out up to $57,000 or so through Key bank so you may be able to get enough through the loan to secure some transportation down there.
 
Just a thought if you're considering a motorcyle/scooter/etc. You'll be in Jacksonville in the summer, can you say thunderstorms every day...might want to get something with a roof.
 
Oh yeah, someone above mentioned a bicycle and I figured a motorbike would be better, but yeah, ideally, you would want something to keep you out of the rain if possible.
 
Hey are the JAX apartments still half-way from the airport and The Office? Can't remember the name of the place, but I stayed there for my 8 weeks of phone duty. Nice place, good views at the pool...
 
You probably lived in Melrose. That complex is largely contracted to UNF for student housing now, so ATP moved out to The Club at Danforth. Much nicer, only 4 people to an apartment now. Not quite the same scenery though
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Melrose, that's right. I remember driving 3 1/2 days to get from L.A. to JAX to start work and had no idea how to get into the complex ... nor where the apt was. Good thing one of my buddies was already in The Office and left a key and pass for me at the guard shack.
 
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