Your thoughts about owning a car here... (Hudson, Willet: how much, buy)

[bilmin]

Unless you can solve the parking problem close to where you live then no don't get a car... I live in Brooklyn Heights and on street parking is doable where I only have to move the car when needed or once a week if not using it. If I had to move it more than that it probably would not be worth it.

[latikeriii]

My wife and I both have cars and she NEVER drives. I take the subway to work but on the weekends, I use it and on weekdays, I pick my wife up from the subway station(when she gets off after 8). Our building charges $150 per car per month and we still have both of our cars(paid off) registered in Texas therefore aren't paying the high insurance and registration fees. The reason why we haven't changed our plates to New York because we're both selling our cars later this year and will buy a new car; don't want to deal with the hassle since we don't drive a lot. We live in Greenpoint, Brooklyn so even though our building has a parking garage, street parking isn't too bad around us.

[jax12479]

I lived in Manhattan for 5 yrs and left my car in CT. The few times I did drive down to my apt., it was an absolute nightmare finding a spot (in the Village). There is really no need for a car if you live in Manhattan, and the agravation of finding a spot, alternate-side parking and tickets make it not worth it (IMO). However, if you can afford the monthly cost of keeping your car in a garage, then go for it. If you are living in Brooklyn (or any of the outer boroughs), it is much easier to own a car. I rarely have a problem in Park Slope.

[BXExplorer]

I think if you like to get away on the weekends and like traveling to different parts of the city then a car would be great. I also like to have a car when I go shopping so I don’t have to carry a bunch of bags with me. Like right now I need to go to BJ’s & get 3 cases of bottled water but can’t unless I take a push cart which will probably break & I hate those things. Also if I stop at a furniture store and want to buy something that will fit in my trunk, that’s better then struggling in a taxi or not buying the item at all. So in these instances a car would be great.

As far as getting tickets, just read the street signs and you will be fine. Finding parking can be a hassle depending on what area you live in and it could also vary from block to block. Once you look for parking for about a week you will have it down to a science. If you sit on your block you will learn who is moving there cars at what time & know exactly what block to check first depending on what time you are trying to park. It sounds like a lot but really it’s not that bad. If you have to be to work on Monday at 9am & street sweeping on a particular side is Monday at 11am then on Sunday park on the other side to avoid a ticket.

The biggest hassle is the price of car insurance. RIDICULOUIS! Unless you have been driving for a long time with a very clean record, odds are your insurance is going to be sky high. That’s why you see so many out of state plates. Manhattan & Bronx have the highest insurance rates then the rest of the city. I had out of state insurance paying $132 for full coverage, I switched it over & it turned to $517. I have never had any accidents or tickets but I have only been licensed for 5 yrs. I have called around every major insurance company & the quotes are all high as hell. I’m currently looking to find a hole in the wall spot so my insurance can be cheaper then $300. So if anyone knows of a spot bless let me know.

My conclusions is go for the car if you don’t mind paying high car insurance or look around good and get quotes before you purchase the car. If this all sounds like too much then just stick with MTA.

[WestburynLI to BronxnNYC]

Originally Posted by BXExplorer

I think if you like to get away on the weekends and like traveling to different parts of the city then a car would be great. I also like to have a car when I go shopping so I don’t have to carry a bunch of bags with me. Like right now I need to go to BJ’s & get 3 cases of bottled water but can’t unless I take a push cart which will probably break & I hate those things. Also if I stop at a furniture store and want to buy something that will fit in my trunk, that’s better then struggling in a taxi or not buying the item at all. So in these instances a car would be great.

As far as getting tickets, just read the street signs and you will be fine. Finding parking can be a hassle depending on what area you live in and it could also vary from block to block. Once you look for parking for about a week you will have it down to a science. If you sit on your block you will learn who is moving there cars at what time & know exactly what block to check first depending on what time you are trying to park. It sounds like a lot but really it’s not that bad. If you have to be to work on Monday at 9am & street sweeping on a particular side is Monday at 11am then on Sunday park on the other side to avoid a ticket.

The biggest hassle is the price of car insurance. RIDICULOUIS! Unless you have been driving for a long time with a very clean record, odds are your insurance is going to be sky high. That’s why you see so many out of state plates. Manhattan & Bronx have the highest insurance rates then the rest of the city. I had out of state insurance paying $132 for full coverage, I switched it over & it turned to $517. I have never had any accidents or tickets but I have only been licensed for 5 yrs. I have called around every major insurance company & the quotes are all high as hell. I’m currently looking to find a hole in the wall spot so my insurance can be cheaper then $300. So if anyone knows of a spot bless let me know.

My conclusions is go for the car if you don’t mind paying high car insurance or look around good and get quotes before you purchase the car. If this all sounds like too much then just stick with MTA.

Use a Long Island address, buy a PO box if u have too...

[holden125]

Originally Posted by WestburynLI to BronxnNYC

Use a Long Island address, buy a PO box if u have too...

They won't take a PO box. And I know people do it all the time, but it's illegal. Even if you don't care about that, if you have an accident and they find out you don't live there your policy will be voided and there are consequences.

[Coolchris4000b]

Originally Posted by HarlemNewbie

I am interested in what your thoughts are about owning a car while living in NYC. It seems most people strongly advise against it. But I am drawn to thought of it, just from the standpoint that I was born and raised in the Motor City. Where I came from American cars were up there with religion! Not that I ever truly enjoyed day-to-day driving. I just like the idea of being able to escape maybe once a week or so, to go out and be in nature. I think that is the real issue, wanting to feel free and like I can connect to nature independently. I know it is much cheaper for parking in the outer bouroughs, as opposed to where I live in Manhattan. Would it make sense to park in a garage somewhere further out from here, jump a train sporadically to the garage when I want to leave, and escape the city? Or is there a better way to get your "I-don't-want-to-be-around-anyone-nature fix?"

Well I own a car(2010 Chevy Malibu) and I live in Uptown Manhattan in Inwood, parking is horrendous but much better then downtown. this is another reason i'm considering moving to the bronx. I love driving and I can't stand taking cabs they always cheat you out of money (the Gypsy cabs) I do take public transit, mainly the buses but when I need to go downtown I just hop on the A train and I'm there in less then 20 mins. Much better then sitting in traffic for hours. But what do you do when you have to go to jersey, long island or something? A car is an essential for me, plus I'm an aggressive driver like most New Yorkers so I get to places in no time.

[normaldude]

Originally Posted by jacktravern

Ok lets be real here, there's a lot of women in NYC (more specifically natives) who say they wouldnt even date a man of a certain age unless he owned a car, regardless of how hard the upkeep is. Maybe guys that live in the better areas of Manhatten get a pass. But for many native NYC women over a certain age (lets say 26), when they think of dating, being on the subway at certain hours of thenight is just not an option, or at any time for some.
Plus what I have noticed, for all of those people people critical about owning a car in NYC, when they leave someones house late at night or a club and they are with people who drove to the same destination, they are quick to say "can you give me a ride home"?

After 12midnight, you can rent ZipCars for as cheap as $4/hr. Perfect for dropping off your B&T lady friend. Certainly a lot cheaper than paying for a $50 taxi ride to Long Island or NJ.

[jacktravern]

Originally Posted by normaldude

After 12midnight, you can rent ZipCars for as cheap as $4/hr. Perfect for dropping off your B&T lady friend. Certainly a lot cheaper than paying for a $50 taxi ride to Long Island or NJ.

After a date , do u want to be the one to say "ok babe hold on, Im gonna rent a zip car to get us out of here". I'd rather just get into my own car and pull off.

[noladarling]

Originally Posted by jacktravern

After a date , do u want to be the one to say "ok babe hold on, Im gonna rent a zip car to get us out of here". I'd rather just get into my own car and pull off.

That's why you get a cab.