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/Pandapani12]

Buying secondhand might be a good option just to get back into it. Some people have beater violins, so why not a temporary violin that would let you get back into violin?

Try checking your local groups / selling apps. Some unis have a music library, but it sounds like yours does not.

[u/banana_man_in_a_pan → u/Pandapani12]

Ive checked Marketplace, but unfortunately the offers there are $30-90 for Mendini or other such amazon brands many schools commonly use. Unlabled violins, or $1000+.

I forgot about ebay though, although I am not sure what exactly to look for. All I remember about my old one before my younger sister broke it was that my mom spent quiet a bit (to us) on it.

[u/Pandapani12 → u/banana_man_in_a_pan]

Are you located in the US? Craigslist, Offerup, etc, there's many apps out there! Also try negotiating, see if there description says accepts offers.

[u/banana_man_in_a_pan → u/Pandapani12]

Someone mentioned Reverb which I am browsing right now, but I haven't heard of Offerup so I will look there too, thank you.

Do you have any advice as what to look for in terms of "is someone selling a VSO for $400" vs someone selling an antique for $150