How to Find a Parking Space in a City

By eHow Cars Editor

Rate: (3 Ratings)

Patience and fighting the herd mentality are what it takes.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Things You’ll Need:

  • Maps

Step1
Decide how far you are willing to walk.
Step2
Determine how valuable your car is to you.
Step3
Park in a garage and pay the money if your car is valuable.
Step4
Park near a place that is well-lit but that many people avoid, such as an adult theater, if your car is not particularly valuable.
Step5
Look for a loading zone. You can park there at night.
Step6
Seek out high-traffic businesses, like a takeout restaurant or a video rental store. Wait. Someone will leave eventually.
Step7
Drive away from your destination and prepare to walk some distance if all else fails. You may get there faster that way than by continuing to drive around.

Tips & Warnings

  • Taking public transit whenever possible eliminates the need for parking.
  • Keep a stash of quarters in your car for parking meters.
  • Read stickers on parking meters to see if there are time limits or other rules.
  • Do not park somewhere dark or dangerous, such as an alley, just because there is a space. There may be a good reason why no one else has taken it.

Comments

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Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 Areas usually fill up within narrow, specific time periods as most people work/shop/commute on similar schedules. Get there 5 minutes before those time periods, and you'll probably find ample parking. Works for me every time!

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eHow Article: How to Find a Parking Space in a City

eHow Cars Editor

eHow Cars Editor

Category: Cars

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