Questions: Education & Career

I'm from a big city, and I've been through all the levels of school and work without ever have a reason to move to a new city. By now, I couldn't imagine leaving, just because all of my loved ones, family and friends, are here.

Do you guys still live in your hometowns or not? What are the advantages and disadvantages of your decision?

In my situation, I’m an 18 year old college student who has scholarships to cover all costs of attendance, meaning I have no credit. I’ve maintained high grades while working and earning about $600 a month. My food is Pre payed with a meal plan. I need to have a reliable car since I live 5 hours away from home. My parents pay for my insurance (a total blessing). Recently I found out my car will be totaled due to an accident where I got rear ended. My car is drivable but can have many unexpected costs. I have invested $5,300 into this car since the middle my Jr year of high school, I am now a college freshman. In exchange for my car the insurance company is willing to give me $4800. This would make a substantial down payment on a deal I have lined up for a Kia Forte at $17,000. I have the ability to either get rid of my car and take the whole $4,800 to put towards a new car to start building my credit since I have no student loans or credit cards, or keep my old car for $1,000 and take my car and the $3,800 to a repair shop, pay whatever to fix it and keep the difference to pay for future repairs. I also want to take my parents paying for the new cars insurance into account. Thank you for any advice <3

Side note: My mom would be co-signing on the car but I would be making all the payments.
Building credit is important to me so I can have total financial independence when I get out of college.