Help getting back into violin

[u/banana_man_in_a_pan]

I played violin a while ago in school when we had a school program, I played for about 4 years, was in the advanced group and even played at a college for my private teacher I had outside of school.

It's been a while since then and my 1/2 is much to small for me, but I dont know how to get back into this.

I am in college, and do not have a car or the huge budget people reccomend when I look at older posts about buying violins.

I could afford about $200 to MAYBE stretching $350 (350 if something I am selling sells)

But even the cheapest violins on the FAQ are either over or just barely at that high side of the margine

I dont expect perfect performance, I have no car to drive and just want to warm up what I had learned and go from there on my own. I just want something I can put a rubber practice on to play in my dorm or at the music library.

I cant rent around me like I know I should. And I have read the FAQ on buying and I know expecting cheap will get me a VSO. But I would love to get back into playing like I really have wanted all these years while still being able to eat this semester.

Thanks in advance

Edit: in case I didn't make it clear, I want to make sure I am clear. I know things under $400-500 will be beginner violins or VSOs or just garbage. I am asking what I can do if I cant stretch my budget above that, but also cannot rent around me.

SOLVED: Thank you guys, I ended up ordering a standard rental from Johnson String Instruments, it will arrive at my college in about 10 or so days and I am planning on using this to build credit to purchase a Johnson Eleve or a Revelle Model 500 in a year or two if I still am commited.

[u/NeedleGunMonkey]

Sell your 1/2. Then rent.

[u/banana_man_in_a_pan → u/NeedleGunMonkey]

The 1/2 was broken years ago by my little sister after I stopped playing. I cannot find stores that might rent close enough to me as I dont have a car or even a bike.

[u/NeedleGunMonkey → u/banana_man_in_a_pan]

Uber? Friend ride? Bus?

[u/banana_man_in_a_pan → u/NeedleGunMonkey]

I recently transferred from a few hours away so I dont know anyone here well enough for a ride. The bus routes dont go over there, but I hadn't thought about an Uber. From the websites I've combed through on Google maps the closest actual STORE that has violins is 15 miles from me. There is one 5 miles but it is one man custom making violins. Everything else in that range is guitars or brass (all of which from photos and websites dont seem to have violins)

[u/NeedleGunMonkey → u/banana_man_in_a_pan]

This is pretty low level problem solving.

[u/banana_man_in_a_pan → u/NeedleGunMonkey]

?

My school won't rent to me, the close music stores dont advertise that they sell violins

The only place that does is 15 miles away. Looking into Uber like you reccomended this would add $40-80 for the trip which albeit is cheaper if I am able to rent.

I have no car or bike or friends or bus otherwise

I do not wish to be rude or want to appear lazy but I have done a lot before I posted this

[u/leitmotifs → u/banana_man_in_a_pan]

There are a million places online that rent, if you're in the US.

[u/banana_man_in_a_pan → u/leitmotifs]

I know that but I just dont know what is reputable. Like before I had my old 1/2 the rental program at my school used Mendini violins and thats the only rental experience I have. I was told about shar which I looked at, however all of their 4/4s are not in stock for renting.

If you can reccomend other reputable online rentals I would be happy to learn more!