Parking in front of others' houses - is that a Southern/NC thing (to live, legal)

[lovebrentwood]

You live in New York City. Of course it's not an issue.

The Triangle area is mostly suburbs.

So if a neighbor is parking in front of your home, while there are absolutely no cars in front of their own home, and you have to look at their ugly car each and every single time you look out the window (instead of having a wide open, car-less space to look at), it becomes an issue.

Originally Posted by gv0928

I don't think this is an issue, period. What's the big deal? Let people park wherever they want. So long as they're not blocking your driveway, it shouldn't be a problem.

[lottamoxie]

While I understand the issue, y'all should try living in a city like San Francisco and not have a garage. Street parking is downright Darwinian. Your parallel parking skills become advanced. Just being able to park on the same block as your house/apt feels like success. Makes you appreciate the space you have in NC, heck, a driveway feels decadent!

[didee]

While I understand the issue, y'all should try living in a city like San Francisco

But this is really irrelevant to the OPs point. This is not an urban area where street parking is the norm and you have to park where you can find a spot. The OP is talking about a suburb where there is a garage, driveway and space along the neighbor's own curb where their visitors can park. There's a huge difference between the 2 scenarios.

I personally don't understand why people park in the street when they have a garage and driveway to use (my neighbors) to park their cars. And I'm talking about daily parking, not parties or exceptional circumstances. Sometimes you can barely navigate through the street because people have parked on the street on both sides rather than their driveways. It irks me.

I completely understand the difference in an urban environment. They don't have a garage or driveway where they can park their car.

[lottamoxie]

People probably park in the street for a myriad of reasons. Such as:

- They're leaving the driveway open for guests or other family members to get in and park.
- They're leaving the driveway open for service people coming to the house.
- They're visiting someone and think they shouldn't park in the person's driveway for some reason.
- They have more than 1 car and don't want to have to move cars around.
- They secretly wish they owned the entire street and like to pretend on occasion they do.
- They've developed a strange fascination for that particular spot and think their vehicle is 'happiest' in that spot.
- They're crazy.
- They're selfish.
- They're trying to be annoying.
- They have an ugly car they don't want to look at but don't mind if YOU have to.

Take your pick!

[whiteboyslo]

well, just to add $.02 to the OP's question....... no, this is not act limited to The South. My folks live in San Diego in a very suburban neighborhood much like those all over the Triangle. Their cul-de-sac is right around the corner from the subdivision's swim and tennis club, so on summer weekends or days when there is an event at the club, the cul-de-sac fills up quick. They also have a number of people who park on the cul-de-sac who live in the apartments around the corner and have run out of parking spaces. It drives my father nuts, but I really don't get the hostility.

Legality aside, what is the big deal? It's just a car on the street, which is where they belong (vs, say, in a lawn where some might be forced to put the car in order to keep it off 'your' precious piece of PUBLIC road). Is it REALLY blocking the view of anything? Honestly, what would you be looking at out your window if the car was not there, your neighbor's house? Come on, folks. Of all the things a neighbor can do to tick you off, this is really not that offensive of an act. If the interactions of your lives with those living near you bother you that much, move to the country.

Mike

[TwoWheelMan]

Originally Posted by lottamoxie

People probably park in the street for a myriad of reasons. Such as:

- They're leaving the driveway open for guests or other family members to get in and park.
- They're leaving the driveway open for service people coming to the house.
- They're visiting someone and think they shouldn't park in the person's driveway for some reason.
- They have more than 1 car and don't want to have to move cars around.
- They secretly wish they owned the entire street and like to pretend on occasion they do.
- They've developed a strange fascination for that particular spot and think their vehicle is 'happiest' in that spot.
- They're crazy.
- They're selfish.
- They're trying to be annoying.
- They have an ugly car they don't want to look at but don't mind if YOU have to.

Take your pick!

OR They have a nice car and want to look out the window to gaze at it...LOL

[meanieme]

just be thankful you don't live in my subdivision where the HOA sends you a nastygram if you park your own car in front of your own house on the street

[DanielChang]

Originally Posted by meanieme

just be thankful you don't live in my subdivision where the HOA sends you a nastygram if you park your own car in front of your own house on the street

Are the streets privately owned?

[kickchick2000]

I feel your pain, my neighbors parks ALL their cars on the street including a giant work trailer about 3 feet from our driveway. Then there is the bread delivery truck that parks in front of the house two doors up.

I swear sometimes my street looks like a giant parking lot.

[eloyfan]

Originally Posted by DanielChang

Are the streets privately owned?

Same here. No "long term" parking on the street. They do, in fact, control the streetly confines as well.