We live in nyc and our au pairs never have a car. They can walk pretty much everywhere or take the subway. I also tell them to take a Lyft whenever they need to and let me know the cost. If a car isn’t necessary in your area and you provide alternatives (and $600/month is a TON of cabs/Lyfts) they sound like princesses who should be avoided.

Anonymous wrote:I agree with the Au pairs. We live in MoCo, and not having a car puts the Au pair at a huge disadvantage. In my Au pairs friend group, there is only one girl who does not have her own or a shared car, and they seem to constantly try to manage making sure someone picks her up or can drop her off, etc. If I was an Au pair, it’s not something that I’d want to ‘bend’ on.

I’m not sure that I agree with this. We are also in MoCo and do have a car for our au pair to use (with some rules attached). In the past 5 years, we have often see other au pairs in Bethesda/CC/Silver Spring area not have access to a car or not have access at all times (including weekends). We have been concerned at times that some of our au pairs were basically being “used” by their “friends” for rides. I would not say that having their own car in the local area is a given or should be an expectation, particularly with the easy access of a wide variety of public transportation options and the very high cost of insurance.

I also was wondering if the $600 was per month (high!) or per year (low!). I would increase that to at least $100 per month + metro card.

$50 a month isn't much but its really entitled to demand either one. I'd find someone else. You care close to public transportation and $50 a month can buy a buss pass.

We have hosted for five years and have never provided a transportation stipend or a personal car. FWIW, we live in a good area within walking distance of bus/train stops and transportation has never been a problem. The APs who are demanding cars--and I talked to a two during the recent matching process--don't understand the difference between living in/near the city with good public transport, which we use ourselves, and living somewhere like Reston or a farther out suburb, that is still considered the "DC area." One was currently based near Richmond, where I can totally understand the need.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our au pair loves "her" car (our third car). I can totally see how an au pair would insist on this, especially since other au pairs have it.

But you should not yield if this does not work for you! The only reason we have a third car is because it was time for me to get a new one. As soon as the au pair leaves, we're selling it. If it doesn't make sense for you to have a third car, don't feel bad or obligated to get one! Just keep looking for an au pair who understands and appreciates public transportation - or an au pair who doesn't drive.

Is the $600 a monthly thing? Yearly thing?

A year.

Look beyond Brazilian candidates. You will find a different level of expectations.
$600/year is a little low. You may want to make it about $125/month

Keep looking for the right au pair. If the transportation is easy in your location, busses, metro train and sometimes you will offer to pick up and drop off that's great. With a metro car and a stipend for transportation and also sometimes you offer some rides when Ap would needed; that's enough.

Anonymous wrote:Our au pair loves "her" car (our third car). I can totally see how an au pair would insist on this, especially since other au pairs have it.

But you should not yield if this does not work for you! The only reason we have a third car is because it was time for me to get a new one. As soon as the au pair leaves, we're selling it. If it doesn't make sense for you to have a third car, don't feel bad or obligated to get one! Just keep looking for an au pair who understands and appreciates public transportation - or an au pair who doesn't drive.

Is the $600 a monthly thing? Yearly thing?

A year.

Former AP here.

It's already very nice of you to provide a metrocard and drop offs ... I would have been very happy with that

That means you live in an area with easy transportation ...

I would understand needing a car if you're far from everything ...

It looks like things have changed since I was an Au Pair.
A few years ago we were happy with what we had and weren't spoiled brats like some girls today who want it all.

Good luck !

We give $200 per month in uber/metro/etc and $250 if she is in class (since she needs to get to/from class). We actually initially did not have a limit but she racked up $500 in one month on uber and I was confused how that was even possible so we had to put a limit. For reference, we live in Old Town Alexandria where most of what she needs is within walking distance. This amount seems to be sufficient for her and is less that what we would pay to add a car/insurance/gas, etc.

Our au pair loves "her" car (our third car). I can totally see how an au pair would insist on this, especially since other au pairs have it.

But you should not yield if this does not work for you! The only reason we have a third car is because it was time for me to get a new one. As soon as the au pair leaves, we're selling it. If it doesn't make sense for you to have a third car, don't feel bad or obligated to get one! Just keep looking for an au pair who understands and appreciates public transportation - or an au pair who doesn't drive.

Is the $600 a monthly thing? Yearly thing?

Anonymous wrote:I agree with the Au pairs. We live in MoCo, and not having a car puts the Au pair at a huge disadvantage. In my Au pairs friend group, there is only one girl who does not have her own or a shared car, and they seem to constantly try to manage making sure someone picks her up or can drop her off, etc. If I was an Au pair, it’s not something that I’d want to ‘bend’ on.

Makes sense. Related to my question though, is the stipend the correct route? I don’t have anywhere to park a third car where I live as it’s a more urban setting than MoCo.

I agree with the Au pairs. We live in MoCo, and not having a car puts the Au pair at a huge disadvantage. In my Au pairs friend group, there is only one girl who does not have her own or a shared car, and they seem to constantly try to manage making sure someone picks her up or can drop her off, etc. If I was an Au pair, it’s not something that I’d want to ‘bend’ on.

Ridiculous, find someone else

We’re in the process of matching with our second au pair using APIA. We live in the Arlington/Alexandria VA area. We have a one year old, and didn’t require our current au pair to drive. However, we provided her with a metro card, and drop offs when asked. The bus picks up right outside the house. She recommended we provide a transportation stipend to future au pairs if we don’t plan to buy a 3rd car for their use. We offered a 600 dollar transportation benefit during interviews for Uber/Lyft etc. We’ve interviewed with several (mostly Brazilian) au pairs that are in their home country and they all see the car as a deal breaker and the $600 not enough money to make up for it. Thoughts on what we should do?