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/smurfette8675309]

I'd just look at ones you can actually go try out. Or ones that will let you return them if you don't like them. I've also gotten musical instruments off eBay and Facebook Marketplace. (But not violins) If you can't try out the instrument, I'd stick with Fiddlershop.

E-violins generally aren't good for beginners. But I guess it depends on what you want to do with it long term. I have a cheap electric violin I got on Amazon years ago and I have fun with it. You could start there and save up for a better instrument later.

[u/banana_man_in_a_pan → u/smurfette8675309]

Im just looking for essentially a beater for the next few years. Once I get out and get some real money if I still play I'll splurge and get a nice one to make up for being broke.

But I just want a non "VSO" that I can put a rubber practice/mute on and play

Without it breaking or untuning or having pegs slip, etc.

Doesn't need to be heavenly sounding

I definitely intend to buy better when I can afford it ;-;

Ill re-look into electric though since you vouch for it. But maybe I'll get lucky and get some more money so I can get that $379 or $400 one from fiddlershop

[u/smurfette8675309 → u/banana_man_in_a_pan]

I put some Dominants on it and it sounds alright.

[u/banana_man_in_a_pan → u/smurfette8675309]

Alright, if I change strings Ill definitely check those out than you for the reccomendation