The Virginia Beach Parking Problems (oceanfront, hotels, taxi)

[janeannwho]

I find it incredible that we have a beautiful beach, lots of merchants and restaurants, and yet as locals, we tend to stay away because of the hostile parking rules, ridiculous prices -higher than the airport in some uncovered, non secure lots at the beach and lack of decent taxi service. Are there others on this board who would be willing to work with me to form a group to go to the town council and start discussing solutions to this problem!

As a tourist, if I saw, TOW, TOW, NO, NO, TOW. TOW, I would say fine, I will go where the merchants and townspeople actually want my business.

[Erma]

Not really. When we go down there, we take our bicycles. There is that trolley that also runs up and down the boardwalk. We don't go much because we'd prefer a private beach to nest on when we do the beaches. When we shop, we do it after tourist season, the prices are 50% off.

[bbguy05]

I avoid the oceanfront as much as I can. When the summer time hits, I can't believe some of the rates these lots are charging! When I do go, I go after 5pm and park at the 19th street parking lot where it's a $1 parking for Virginia residents.

The oceanfront is all about money for the city. They don't care for the residents or tourists, but when it comes down to it, the tourist come first.

[janeannwho]

I just think they are cutting off their noses to spite their faces. You get parking revenue, but just in your two comments, you do not find it a pleasant or welcoming place.

[Rita Mordio]

Personally, I'd say to anybody who wants to venture to the Oceanfront and not pay to park. Not too far is the Virginia Beach Convention Center where they have free parking. You're going to be walking anyway, what's an extra mile (if that)?

Unless I go after 1700, I always park about a mile or so away from the Oceanfront. Less cost ((FREE!!) and more healthy walking.

[darzz1]

Originally Posted by bbguy05

I avoid the oceanfront as much as I can. When the summer time hits, I can't believe some of the rates these lots are charging! When I do go, I go after 5pm and park at the 19th street parking lot where it's a $1 parking for Virginia residents.

The oceanfront is all about money for the city. They don't care for the residents or tourists, but when it comes down to it, the tourist come first.

I couldn't have said it better.

I TOTALLY agree.

It's a shame that the local citizens who pay taxes can't even take advantage
of the oceanfront due to fee's and parking.

[the4pits]

As previously mentioned, park and bring a bike. I have lived in VB 36yrs, and as any local knows that is the best way to get around. You can usually find meter parking 1st-5th st or around the north end from 25th-35th st. There are infinate places to lock your bike up to shop,eat,swim,surf, whatever.

[Erma]

amen the4pits...as someone else mentioned, park at the convention center and ride your bikes to the beach. I know we have a ball when we want to play tourist, only we're not paying anyone for bikes or parking. :-)

[janeannwho]

Originally Posted by Erma

amen the4pits...as someone else mentioned, park at the convention center and ride your bikes to the beach. I know we have a ball when we want to play tourist, only we're not paying anyone for bikes or parking. :-)

I guess I am just used to the idea of tourist towns being accessible places. Having lived in Las Vegas for years, and having travelled extensively to many tourist areas, the locals were "treated" well by the tourist areas and when there was on off season (no longer exists out there), but when there was, the locals were loyal to the businesses that depended on tourism such as restaurants and entertainment venues. Also, as a tourist, I would much prefer to go to a place that invites me in, rather than makes it difficult for me to spend my money there. I do not mind paying for parking, but I do mind ridiculous rules and regulations.

[Rita Mordio]

I will have to add that the only reason I ever go to the Oceanfront is to walk or ride a bike. There's really no flare to having one side of the road cramped with crummy hotels and nice hotels (next to each other) and the other side cramped with crummy trinket shops. The beach itself is pretty dirty to my standards, the water is really gross looking and murky...

But that's just me complaining.

If I wanted to go to the beach for the actual beach, the Oceanfront would not be my destination. I head to some of the local's "secret" locations.