Parking at our home (HOA, houses, neighborhood)

[nthoangga]

We just bought our home and moved in about 3 months ago. We have 4 cars, so the best I can for my most convinience is 2 cars inside the garage at the back of my house, and 2 cars on the street in front of my house. 1 roommate has a bf who come over sometimes so it's 1 extra car parking overnight. He parks his car on the street in front of neighbors' house. I think this is the part that ticked the neighbor.

So yesterday a lady, who is a realtor living on the same HOA, knocked on my door and said she has received some complaints about too many cars parking on the street. This is a small street so it makes the street's traffic flow worse and not good for the neighborhood's value. It's a hugh impacts as I know several houses in the neighborhood is trying to sell.

So what is my option? Is parking on the street in front of my house considered bad courtesy? I can park 1-2 more cars on the driveway to my garage. Of course it will be a huge hassle in the morning to move the cars around before going to work (it's a small drive way, I will have to move the cars on the driveway in order for cars in garage to get out)

[kt2le]

I can empathize somewhat since we have 5 cars with 3 parked in front when all the kids are home from college at the same time (like this summer) but we can fit all 3 along the curb in front of our house with the other 2 around back - none in front of neighbor's homes. If the boyfriend is coming over "sometimes" and this is annoying a neighbor, have him park in back and deal with the occasional car shuffle.

[WorldKlas]

please don't consistently park in front of neighbors' houses. I know they don't own the streets in front of their homes but doing so sets off everyone's tempers and the whole neighborhood vibes sours.

[nthoangga]

I can try to deal with the bf. But after that, consistently parking in front of our house should be ok right? I know it's bad for the traffic flow since it's a small street, but if 2 cars park on the street both sides, there is still enough space for 1 car to drive through. So what is the drawing line here? Should I take the hassle to park cars on the driveway, so it less congestion for the street?

[LeagleEagleDFW]

What does your HOA say?

[Rakin]

2 cars in the garage and 2 cars in the driveway. I don't understand why this doesn't work.

Yes it's a PITA to move cars but the alternative is cluttering up the streets with a bunch of cars.

[stephwin]

Most people don't get too mad about it until you start blocking their mailbox. Our mailman will get out of his truck to deliver mail, but not all will. So make sure you aren't parking in front of or too close to the neighbor's mailbox too.

[Threestep2]

Originally Posted by Rakin

2 cars in the garage and 2 cars in the driveway. I don't understand why this doesn't work.

Yes it's a PITA to move cars but the alternative is cluttering up the streets with a bunch of cars.

Absolutely no issue!

If there is an HOA - is a room mate permissible?

[bencronin04]

That's a hard one. Common courtesy would say to try and park them in the driveway behind the others, but I know that can be a beating. If there is nothing in the HOA about parking on the street, I'd probably continue to do it and try and explain to them your situation.

[jennifw]

I know for me personally, it would drive me crazy if someone was constantly parking on the street. I would try to park atleast 1 additional car in the back behind the garage, even if it means shuffling cars in the morning. We have a lot of street parkers on my street and it makes me a little edgy, even though it is not illegal. Good luck.