Me in the city and the car in the 'burbs? (Arlington Heights: apartments, lease)

[hoodie24]

I've seen a few posts similar to this but none with the exact towns or this idea especially in mind...

Anyhow here's the situation. I am dying to move to the city. I'm 26, and my steady guy and all my close friends have all moved there. Right now I live in Schaumburg and feel like I'm wasting TONS of gas to visit people.

I work 7:45 - 3:45 in Lake Zurich, in a job that I adore and wouldn't consider leaving.

What I want, more than anything, is to find a place to park my car overnight within .5 miles of either the Arlington Heights, Palatine, or Arlington Park Metra. I'd also be accepting of Barrington or Mount Prospect parking areas. I'd be cool with anything from a lot to a street. I've considered putting flyers up at apartments that are close to the train stations just to see if anyone would be willing to let me rent a space from them.

I really hate to drive, both in the city and the expressway, so a driving commute is something I wouldn't consider on any level. Plus it'd be ludicrous financially with the rising gas prices. I already feel my blood pressure rising on the 2-3 times a week I go into the city to see the boyfriend or buddies. I think that leaving my car in the suburbs and commuting via Metra, El, bus etc. would save me a lot of peace of mind and appeal to my green sensibilities as well. I'd be all right taking the car back to the city for weekends if necessary, but I guess I'm just curious if anyone has any other ideas besides what I've thought of in terms of getting ahold of a Metra-friendly parking space.

Anyone know any buildings, lots, or streets close to the aforementioned Metra stops where one could park overnight? Know anyone who might want to sell me a spot? Anything? Thanks!

[chet everett]

I am pretty sure you can find a spot in one of those areas. I don't think I'd bother with apartments, in the burbs the spaces are generally residents only.

Best bet is probably a small or mid-sized office type business that has their own off street parking. Ideally you'd be out while they are open for customers and park while they are closing. If a dentist of doctor owns his own building he might have exactly what you need. Landlords are not going to be keen on having something like this -- especially because things like winter plowing make this a real hassle.
Also check with a mechanic/garage/gas station -- they often have a lot where the park cars waiting to be picked up/repaired.

You'll want to get a fair lease rate, something like $25 a week/$100 month is not bad for overnights.

[oakparkdude]

Don't the metra stations offer permit parking?

[hoodie24]

Usually the metra stations offer permit parking for their commuters going into the city but don't allow overnight parking. Unfortunately I'd need the exact opposite. Although I did just learn that along the Metra Union Paciffic North Line, the town of Highland Park offers an overnight parking spot for 5 dollars a MONTH! I might have to go with that, even if I would be doing a bit more driving from Highland Park to Lake Zurich than any of those other towns. Still beats driving in and out of the city!

[oakparkdude]

You might want to double check on that. I'm in a similar situation in Geneva. Here, the parking lot is quarterly and overnight parking is allowed.

[jamieb]

The only place I have found that allows overnight parking along the NW line of Metra is a Busse Car Wash in Mt. Prospect. It is $2.75 a day and accross from the station.

Des plaines used to issue permits for Overnight but I think they only have a few spots on a monthly basis.