This conversation has me wondering if you think what my son is doing is a jerk move or not: We don't live in an HOA, but live on a culdesac which has no street parking because of the way the lots are shaped. We have enough driveway and garage parking for our vehicles, but it's more convenient for my son to park on the street so none of us get blocked in to the driveway and have to move cars around. The house at the start of the culdesac is on sort of a corner-shaped lot, so TONS of street parking in front and on the side. It's enough for 5-6 cars, and at night there are always at least 5 cars lined up in front of/beside their house. (no more than one of those belong to the resident of that house). I just looked out the window, and even during the day when most neighbors are at work, there's a neighbor's car in front.
So, is it a jerk move for all of us in the culdesac to park there, even though theoretically most of us could fit the extra cars in our driveway or garage? I've thought we should make the effort to keep my son's car on our property, but it just means 4-5 cars would be parked across the street every night instead of 5-6. (or maybe someone from further up the street would fill in the gap, who knows?). What do you think? Can we continue to park on the street guilt-free, or do we need to make a change?
I can answer this one. I live in that corner cul de sac home. We bought it after I realized what happens when teenagers get cars, they need parking, so we deliberately chose a place with enough on-site parking for ourselves.
VisitorsFirst, there are a lot of visitors, across the 6 homes, so usually there is at least 1 visitor car there. I have zero problem with overnight visitors, unless they drive across my grass, which is easy to do due to the shape of our front lawn.
ResidentsFor neighbors that park there, I don't really like it, but the ones that park around the side, not infront of my window are no big deal. better than trying to park at 90 degrees to ones' home in the center.
The ones that park within 6 feet of my driveway, especially when they could just pull forward really tick me off. That is technically against the bylaws and given the shape of the cul de sac, means I have to be very careful backing out. I put friendly notes on those cars asking them to pull forward a few more feet when they park.
My belief is that people should park their own cars on their own property, in this single family area.
If the property does not fit another car, don't buy the car (or the house). Pay a neighbor to park in their driveway, etc.