Don't have to have a car but man life is much better with it, there are places to eat and the van driver will take you to walmart scheduled at certain times etc, as far as a gym goes no, I brought a car and did the La fitness thing but that is about 5 miles away. There is also a YMCA boy far away. Having a car is nice cause you don't have to rely on the schedule of the van to bring you to school house everyday. If you have a choice bring a car or you can rent a car for 11 bucks a day at most places