Parking at Townhomes in Tysons (Springfield, Fairfax: areas, work, drive)

[LetsRock]

Originally Posted by smarterguy

My wife and I are looking to buy a townhome in the Tysons area, something like a 3 bedroom unit, ideally with at least a one car garage. BUT, seems like most townhomes with a one car garage only have a small, narrow driveway, and most communities don't seem to have much parking otherwise. And since we work slightly different schedules, one of us comes home earlier than the other, and leaves earlier in the morning--which means we'd have to move our cars every single morning or evening to allow the other to get out.

Is there any way around this? I've only seen one or two communities that have street parking near the townhome. Most have a small lot with a handful of spots, but they always seem to be full whenever I visit (I was actually yelled at by a resident of one of these communities recently when I toured a unit with my agent. We couldn't find parking and parked in the unit's very short driveway.)

The two car garage units are out of our price range. We don't absolutely need a garage, but it would be nice to store our bicycles, sports equipment, etc and have a space for a car during bad weather.

Funny that some of the row homes we've have looked at in DC have easier parking on the street than these townhomes in Tysons.

If you have two cars and need guaranteed parking, then you DO need a garage. If you have an expensive car, there is no way I would leave it parked on the street to be broken into or stolen.

[acgood]

It would be very rare to find a TH community around here with street parking that is not exclusively for guest use. You may want to look for a slightly older TH community that lacks garages but gives you two assigned parking spaces. Or, adjust the budget or location to get a two-car garage if this is a major issue for you.

[NOVA_guy]

Originally Posted by yandex

Yeah, it's not a problem unique to Tysons or even NOVA. It's the nature of single-garage townhome communities.

It depends. Some places are better than others, in more dense suburbs which is pretty much all of NoVa it is definitely a problem.

Some of my friends from college rent a townhouse in Mechanicsville which is basically right outside Richmond and they were telling me they have no problems at all when it comes to parking so it depends.

[Old Guard]

If you are looking at a townhouse community that has no parking problems do not expect it to always be like that. Townhouse community parking rarely seems to get better, and if it does that may be a sign of another kind of problem.

[LetsRock]

Originally Posted by acgood

It would be very rare to find a TH community around here with street parking that is not exclusively for guest use. You may want to look for a slightly older TH community that lacks garages but gives you two assigned parking spaces. Or, adjust the budget or location to get a two-car garage if this is a major issue for you.

In my TH community in Annandale, the HOA does not allow residents to use the "guest parking" spaces. We have plenty of spaces, but it prevents people from using their garage for other than their vehicles. You can park in your driveway, but will get towed if you leave your car on the street overnight without a tempoary permit from the HOA.

[LuvVA]

There is a townhome community in Tysons (off of Gosnell Road) that offers 2 car garages but be prepared to see a price tage over $800K.

I understand your pain, single car garage is a pain.... unless you have ample number of visitors parking or street side parking within your community, preferably a gated community.

[LetsRock]

Originally Posted by LuvVA

There is a townhome community in Tysons (off of Gosnell Road) that offers 2 car garages but be prepared to see a price tage over $800K.

I understand your pain, single car garage is a pain.... unless you have ample number of visitors parking or street side parking within your community, preferably a gated community.

If you are an owner, you cannot use visitor parking.

[LuvVA]

Originally Posted by LetsRock

If you are an owner, you cannot use visitor parking.

Is that a rule in Tysons? I have never seen such rule in suburbs. I have even seen owners always parking in the visitor's lot opposite to their townhome. This way, their garage is free so more junks can be stored, driveway is empty so kids can play.

[FCNova]

Originally Posted by LuvVA

Is that a rule in Tysons? I have never seen such rule in suburbs. I have even seen owners always parking in the visitor's lot opposite to their townhome. This way, their garage is free so more junks can be stored, driveway is empty so kids can play.

'Tysons' has no control over privately owned streets and parking lots. Just like HOAs have no jurisdiction over county(public) streets. So no not a general rule, something like that is totally at the discretion of each individual HOA.

[smarterguy]

Originally Posted by LuvVA

Is that a rule in Tysons? I have never seen such rule in suburbs. I have even seen owners always parking in the visitor's lot opposite to their townhome. This way, their garage is free so more junks can be stored, driveway is empty so kids can play.

Pretty much every place I've lived that has some type of open or visitor parking, residents usually park there and leave their reserved spot/driveway/garage open.

Parking in some of these places is worse than where I've lived in DC and NYC. Its ridiculous.