You have to admit it – your apartment is pretty much near-perfect. You’ve got a fantastic layout, tons of space, friendly neighbors and even an awesome view. So what’s the lone complaint? Parking! Many apartment communities, especially in larger cities, suffer from a serious lack of parking. So what’s an otherwise satisfied apartment resident to do?
Try bringing the matter to the attention of your apartment community manager. If your neighbors are also suffering from the lack of space, the management might be persuaded to institute a ‘resident parking pass’ system. Guaranteed spots are fantastic, but sometimes a new system takes time to register with the friends and relatives that visit your apartment community, so patience and understanding is your best bet until the new rules catch on. Enforcement can be tough, unless you can convince management to place a ‘tow away’ system into place, so just do your best for the first few weeks.
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If you encounter a repeat offender parking in your new assigned spot, try leaving a friendly note. Odds are excellent they are simply unaware of their misstep, rather than a blatant ‘who cares?’ jerk. Keep things friendly rather than aggressive, and if the problem continues pass the details of the offending party on to your apartment manager (be sure to include make, model and license plate number when possible).
A final possible solution to parking woes is probably the most simple of all – lose the car! If your job is nearby, consider doubling up on your exercise by riding your bike. You’ll save on traffic time and city parking fees as well, and your body will thank you for it. When the weather is less than desirable or you just don’t feel up to biking, try taking public transportation such as the bus or train. Many apartment communities in larger cities have close proximity to a variety of transportation options.
Similarly, a shared commute with some of your neighbors is a fantastic way to cut down on gas and parking woes. Remember, parking is your right as an apartment resident, but try and be conscientious of your neighbors and willing to work with your community management and odds are excellent you’ll some to a common understanding in no time.