Use and habit - parking

Money_maker

My friends husband has a nightmare parking scenario where he is constantly stressed about 'losing their space' and has even taken to a long walk to work to avoid moving the car. She works evenings so often it's musical cars as they move them around late at night. I wouldn't even consider buying in your situation.

Mojisola

Tygermoth wrote: »

The house we are buying has a parking bay area out the front with six unallocated spaces

there IS allocated parking for all three houses however, due to layout, we are the furthest point from it (5mins walk) there is no other parking.

Any chance that the spaces outside the house could become the allocated spaces and the more distant ones the overspill?

ManuelG

swingaloo wrote: »

Then you get the home owners with just one car who will always park int he middle or their 2 spaces making it impossible for anyone else to park in the spare space.

I do that... for the very reason that otherwise people assume they're unallocated spaces, available for all.

It's a bit like a cat marking its territory, except I use the smells of diesel

pinkteapot

Agree with a couple of things above:

1) 5 minutes?! That's a third of a mile (assuming you're able-bodied). What sort of estate design puts the allocated spaces for a house that far away?

2) Are you absolutely sure you're happy with the situation? It'll be first-come first-served. There'll be days when you're home after the neighbours and your car will be in the more distant allocated space overnight. Are you definitely happy with that? Don't count on getting 'your' space. And it wouldn't surprise me if the neighbour starts parking badly (taking up two spaces) to reserve a spot for when their family member gets home. Will it wind you up if this happens? If any of this will bug you, it's not the house for you.

Brightspark87

Hi we have parking out the back unallocated but not a 5 minute walk!

We moved in on 2nd July and seem to be fine with parking there. People were expecting us too I think as normally its full from people who have parking out the front but then also park out the back. We even had 4 cars there this weekend - think people are understanding if you have just bought somewhere you need to park your car. Have a chat with the neighbours before hand - we did.

ReadingTim

As long as they don't feel they've also got the right to park in the allocated (but previously unused) spaces you ought to be ok, but I can see how parking might evolve into a fairly competitive game of musical chairs, so you'll have to decide how you really feel about that - I know I get irrationally p!ssed off if I can't park on the street outside my house, especially if someone else from further up or down the road decides to leave their car there for a few days/a week at a time....

I'd also consider the extent to which the walk to the allocated space would bother me - while I suspect the "5 mins" is probably nearer 90 seconds if actually timed, it probably feels like 5 minutes, especially if you're lumbered with heavy shopping and it's raining....

That said, it's probably worth considering the long term view - teenagers/young adults don't live with their parents for ever, even with property prices as they are. If they're old enough to drive, they'll nearly be old enough to go to university and/or move out permanently. In a couple of years time, the fleet of 6 cars could have shrunk to a more manageable 2, so if you think the place is otherwise a good bet for the long term, don't discount it on account of some short term parking issues.

tealady

I don't drive but a "must" for me was off road parking.
It means visitors and tradespeople can park by my house. Oh and neighbours can "borrow" my drive when they need to.

Blueysea

I agree with one previous post of knocking on neighbours doors prior to moving forward, starting a conversation even if it's just to settle your mind. It can be a friendly "I'm thinking of moving next door/want to know about the neighbourhood" and subtly steer onto the parking situation.

At least if they tell you to f'off in the first instance you know what sort of people you're dealing with and to walk away.