Parking versus no parking

J_i_m

For me to consider a property without it's own dedicated allocated parking space ideally attached to the premises so I can see my car from inside my home...

I would have to be in a long term life style situation in that I absolutely did not need a car for anything, furthermore the pubic transport links would also need to be good.

For the most part, in my present situation, although I don't use my car for everything as I like to walk into town to do my shopping it is still by far away the most practical solution for travelling to areas outside of reasonable walking commute distance.

Personally, I do not see having to park a car streets away from your home as remotely practical and I definitely wouldn't consider it unless I could garuntee I had zero need of a car.

DRP

We don't have OSP but live in a gem of a street where we are almost guaranteed a parking spot within a few metres of the house (we've only had to park outside our road a handful of times in 9+ years), despite the area as a whole having very little parking room on the street.

We also knew the area well and there is very little car crime at all.

If you know the area well and are happy with the situation then go for it.

hazyjo

PS my next house did have private parking, but my current one doesn't. But I always manage to park in my road. In the worst case scenario, my car was about 4 houses along from mine (neighbour was having a bit of a do once), but generally it's outside my own house.

Doesn't bother me in the slightest - but don't think I could live in a road with barely any parking where I might have to park 3 streets away again!

Jx

Buzby

Apart from car insurance being higher (as a result of having no private space) one area I lived in it became so problematic it was easier to sell the car and do without. Which was a culture shock, but undoubtedly less stressful.

Even if you believe you'll be OK, things will always change (for the worse) and your plans or predictions meaningless.

RupertTheCat

I lived in London for 10 years with no car or parking as living in London you really don't need a car. You can always hire one or use those Whipcars which are everywhere. Now I live outside London I wouldn't buy a place with no designated parking, but in London I don't think it's that big a deal.

A friend just had their car stolen off their driveway on a main road in Chiswick with a lot of lighting so cars go missing from anywhere (car was a 2006 reg so not particularly new or fancy). The local police said it happened a lot, so unless you have a lockable garage you could lose your car.

Easier not to have one really.

sirmosh

hazyjo wrote: »

Hi

If you invite several people over, or elderly family, it'll be a pain too. I hope there's a nearby station cos you'll probably find you'll think sod it, I'll get the tube/train instead of taking the car and battling for a space on your return.

This is something I forgot to mention, even though we have a visitors permit no one can ever use it because there aren't any spaces and when family come to visit they can't stay at ours because they've got no where to put the car.

The worst thing though is people who can't parallel park destroying your car. Our car isn't too new but it was in pretty much perfect condition but now it's full of scratches and dents from people who use the bump off the other car technique to park. Not only that but someone must have reversed their towbar into the drivers door and left the most massive dent.

Niv

I would never buy a house that did not have at least 2 car parking spaces off road.

The idea of parking a few streets away is ok when you are just coming home from work (even though if raining you will get a lot wetter!), but as mentioned above. When you go shopping, go on holiday, take kids anywhere, have elderly relatives etc etc etc it comes a nightmare.

Sirmosh put it best in my opinoin 'pointlessly stressful'.

RupertTheCat

How often do you have several people coming to visit at once in different cars?? And even if you do have a drive or designated parking, there still won't always be space for visitors to park. It's a fact of life - we have too many cars.

I don't have parking at my house and park on the road - sometimes I park a few roads away. It's not that big a deal. And visitors (even elderly ones) manage to park a few roads away and walk over too.

And after 10 years of parking on the road, I've had no one scrape the side of my car whilst parallel parking. Though I have had my wing mirror kicked off on the pavement side of the car, which could have happened anywhere. I've had more damage done to my car parked at the supermarket.

sulphate

We used to live in a street in the middle of a city with rows of terraced houses each side, residents' parking permits, so parking often a nightmare. You can't always have an amazing location with off street parking, its just not possible. Yes some buyers will be put off, lots won't be. In fact there is a huge demand for houses in that street, and most of them sell within days of being put on the market.

Just moved to a terraced house also with no off street parking but not as bad as previous house. Sometimes parking down the road is a bit annoying but that's a fact of life. We couldn't have everything so we compromised on the parking bit. I can't always park the car right outside the house, that personally doesn't bother me.

The only time I've ever had anyone damage my car when it was parked was when we rented a house with a driveway, and some kids smashed the sunroof in.

witchy1066

my OH would never consider a house that didn't have off road parking, he wouldn't even go look at the property if it didn't state ORP

I really really wanted to look at a house with the most amazing views but didn't have ORP but did have on road outside the house ,
we drove by one evening when we thought folk would be home from work, every available space had been taken up , some on the pavement double parked, needless to say we didn't go view the house

its all about compromise and what you are prepared to compromise on , no ORP wasn't one we were prepare to make

all the best with your decision