Strange Question: Why do some people park outside their garage? (Austin: foreclosed, rental)

[Muzzle of Bees]

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

And this is the kind of stereotypical (and, frankly, prejudiced) attitude that scares me about HOA supporters.

I see a LOT of neighborhoods, and the above could not be further from the truth.

Are there neighborhoods where people don't care about their property (or don't have the resources to take care of it once they've got it)? Absolutely.

Does not having an HOA mean it's even probable that the above will be the case in a neighborhood. Not on your life.

One thing I have just realized, though, thinking about it in the light of the original topic, is that neighborhoods where the cars are always hidden away behind closed garage doors also seem to have fewer people out and about in the neighborhood, whereas those where the cars are parked in the driveway tend to have people out in their yards, kids playing, people visiting with the neighbors, mowing the lawn, going for a walk - life is visible rather than hidden away behind closed doors just like the vehicles. Interesting - I'm going to have to observe and see if what I'm remembering seeing matches what I'm seeing when I'm paying close attention.

The HOA mentality is very reflective of the broken windows theory studied back in the early 80’s. Sure not every neighborhood is this way. It takes just one to start a really big problem. If you needed to sell land next to a poorly maintained home, you would inherently get less money for it. Many laws are created from the few that make bad decisions. Now the rest of us have to be told that coffee is hot.

[BentBow]

Garages are storage! Everyone knows that.

[woodinvilleguy]

Originally Posted by BentBow

Garages are storage! Everyone knows that.

I beg to differ. Garages are for turning into woodwork shops :-)

[catman]

Back to the original question:I don't park my car in my garage because the garage has a lot of other stuff in it, such as a motorcycle which wouldn't be in my possession for long if it were parked out in the open.

[atxcio]

Originally Posted by woodinvilleguy

I beg to differ. Garages are for turning into woodwork shops :-)

I beg to differ again. Here in Austin, they are for soundproofing and rehearsing with your band. Except in the summer.

[calel]

Garages are for sitting in lawnchairs to smoke and drink with the door open and watch your neighbors go by. Seriously, this seems to be the suburban concept of a front porch.

[HappyTexan]

Originally Posted by calel

Garages are for sitting in lawnchairs to smoke and drink with the door open and watch your neighbors go by. Seriously, this seems to be the suburban concept of a front porch.

I had to lol when I read that. So true.
The frontloaders are perfect for that as the garage is bigger and covered compared to the little walkways leading up to a door with no front porch.

And I have seen several that do that...oh how funny (and true).

[atxcio]

Originally Posted by calel

Garages are for sitting in lawnchairs to smoke and drink with the door open and watch your neighbors go by. Seriously, this seems to be the suburban concept of a front porch.

You are definitely correct about the garage being the suburban concept of a front porch! When it is open, it's like you are sitting on the front porch -- neighbors know it's OK to come up and talk. Aesthetically it's not very pretty, but socially it works OK.

[kasiem]

Originally Posted by calel

Garages are for sitting in lawnchairs to smoke and drink with the door open and watch your neighbors go by. Seriously, this seems to be the suburban concept of a front porch.

and playing pool and darts while you're hanging out...

[jeffpv]

People do have too much stuff. In my opinion, simplification is cleansing: Give it away, recycle it, or--if need be, throw it out. Just think of how much space you'd save.
That being said, I don't mind people parking in their driveway.