Parking in Center Square: Residential Parking Permits (Albany, Philadelphia: crime, home)

[PhiladelphiaTransplant]

Can any residents of the Center Square area give me an idea on what the parking situation is like at night? I am looking to move very close to Washington Park and my main concern is parking!

I understand that the residential permits have freed up day-spaces, but how about at night? Is it difficult to find parking after 6pm?

[hock41]

Originally Posted by PhiladelphiaTransplant

Can any residents of the Center Square area give me an idea on what the parking situation is like at night? I am looking to move very close to Washington Park and my main concern is parking!

I understand that the residential permits have freed up day-spaces, but how about at night? Is it difficult to find parking after 6pm?

In my experience (lived in center square for 3 years)there's always been a spot when I've gone looking. That spot might be a few blocks away, or even several, but I've almost never NOT found a spot.

It also depends on the time. Around 5pm or 6pm there will be a good amount of spots, but around 9 or 10 there will be a lot less.

You also don't have to worry about weekend though as spots are always open then.

[PhiladelphiaTransplant]

Thanks for your input. Is it also true that Washington Park is unsafe at night?

[hock41]

Originally Posted by PhiladelphiaTransplant

Thanks for your input. Is it also true that Washington Park is unsafe at night?

I'd say after like 9 o'clock yeah.

A lot of my friends go running in the park around 6 or 7 or walk home through the park around 8 or 9 and they're fine obviously.

[sarchivist98]

Originally Posted by PhiladelphiaTransplant

Thanks for your input. Is it also true that Washington Park is unsafe at night?

Hmm, I'm not sure. Years and years ago, when I first moved here (so less than 13 years ago), there was a murder there, but I haven't heard of anything violent since. My sense is it's not bad, but it is a park in an urban area, so I would be cautious, stick near the lighted roads, etc.

The Albany Police Dept has a crime map on their web site. You can also sign up for text/email alerts for particular neighborhoods. These will not tell you every little incident as it occurs - they are more for things like snow emergencies or dangerous situations - but you will be sent links to weekly crime stats for the neighborhood. The Neighborhood Engagement Officers (beat cops) are also great sources of information about crime in their neighborhoods. Annoyingly, the Police web site does not list the officers, but you could call and ask.