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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to buy a house with terrible parking?

309 replies

Seaandsand83 · 13/01/2020 12:37

We currently live in a 2 bed terraced and have found a fantastic 4 bed semi with big beautiful rooms, well within our price range. We'd have enough money to build an extension on the back for a really spacious Kitchen diner. However, the parking situation is terrible. There is only parking on one side of the road and it is always full. There are a few spaces about a 1 or 2 min walk way, round the corner. I know that doesn't sound far but if I have done a food shop it would mean a few trips back and forth

We are in a position to put an offer on but AIBU to buy a house which is perfect for us but with such bad parking?

OP posts:
BelfastNonBlonde · 13/01/2020 14:08

Sounds horrendous.

Think about what else you use your car for other than shopping (which could be done online to minimise agony)..

dump / recycling trips, getting kids in and out loaded with bags, buying furniture / large items that you need to carry in in big boxes or even assembled, emergency trips out where you are in a mad dash and need to be real quick getting to car, or getting in and back out to car...

I know people do it and manage, but I would hate it. Especially when you need and are used to using your car. Different if you never use it really.

FourDecades · 13/01/2020 14:12

My idea of absolute hell. It will only get worse as more cars get on the roads.

The idea's on how to cope from PP are great but could you REALLY be arsed to do all that??

victoriashleigh · 13/01/2020 14:13

Another vote for no, unfortunately.

We viewed our house a few times and absolutely fell in love. We knew parking wasn’t amazing but didn’t have a issue ourselves when viewing the house. At the weekend.

We mistakenly thought it was permit parking (our fault for assuming and not checking!) and we live 5 minutes away from an underground line station. Oh boy let me tell you, the first few weeks of living here were a shock. It’s like the Wild West here Monday to Friday! Grin

brassbrass · 13/01/2020 14:17

It would grind me down so a No vote from me

Rosebel · 13/01/2020 14:31

You will grow to hate it. Where I live I often can't even park on my road. It drives me absolutely mad, especially if I have been shopping or just feel rough after being at work.
If there's no chance of putting in a drive I wouldn't do it

midwest · 13/01/2020 14:32

Even if you are okay with this you are reducing the number of people you can sell your house to when you want to move on.

SabineUndine · 13/01/2020 14:32

Do Tesco's deliver? Is they do, I would do it.

fieldofwheat · 13/01/2020 14:34

Would be a dealbreaker for me - even if the house was great. Spoken from experience - parking was terrible, we would often have to park a few minutes walk away which doesn't sound much but when it happens frequently it's annoying. But more annoying was the moaning from neighbours who would complain about visitors being in 'their' space. Car also got dented several times from people trying to squeeze into too small a space.

You mention that you would have work done - this in itself causes more parking issues- having skips on the road, deliveries, builders parking. Whilst only temporary, can result in some pissed off neighbours!

And with parking availability an important issue for many people it could be an issue further down the line if you choose to sell.

LIZS · 13/01/2020 14:34

If you have young children, heavy shopping or in bad weather it would soon become a pita.

CarlaH · 13/01/2020 14:35

Where do the Tesco's delivery people supposed to park?

anon2000000000 · 13/01/2020 14:35

My previous house had no parking. It was a nightmare when we came back from holiday with baby, elder child, dogs and luggage. I didn't mind at first but did after a year or two.

It didn't help that my neighbour liked to park his car right outside his house and not park up nearer car in front of him so there was a gap in front of him and behind him but not enough to fit a car in. Tradesmen parked where they could too.

CarlaH · 13/01/2020 14:35

Grr I meant Where are the Tesco's delivery people supposed to park?

nettie434 · 13/01/2020 14:36

I’m a no too. I live in a road of two bed terraces and anyone buying here realises it’s a free for all - there is no residents’s parking even. However, apart from Victorian/Edwardian terraces, almost all 4 bed houses have driveways and generally a garage. That means when you sell, you are competing with houses with dedicated parking so will not get the best price. If the house is in a very desirable road or a fantastic location next to shops, parks, and a wonderful school, then prospective buyers will balance out the lack of parking. If it’s just the house that is lovely, I’d keep looking.

MrsPotatoHeadsSheeWee · 13/01/2020 14:39

I am eagerly awaiting the advent of Google cars/similar. No-one owning a vehicle and only ordering/using one when they have need.

It would eliminate the tricky parking houses/areas. Bring up prices for those areas too.

VivaLeBeaver · 13/01/2020 14:40

Would you definitely get one of the spaces a couple of minutes away round the corner? If so I'd be tempted. We have a drive but I actually park in a side street 2 mins walk away. I'm used to it and it's fine.... Though I guess I have the ability to park to drop shopping off.

ConfidingFish · 13/01/2020 14:41

It is a no from me. It isn't just you, it is anyone visiting you, and any deliveries or work men who will be pissed off trying to find somewhere to park and trekking down to the house.

Having lived in a couple of houses with parking issues, and not even my own (always had drives) it is so not worth it.

Urkiddingright · 13/01/2020 14:41

No, I definitely wouldn’t do this at all.

HTruffle · 13/01/2020 14:42

Could you rent a driveway from anyone else more locally with a driveway they don’t use?

longestlurkerever · 13/01/2020 14:42

Mrs potato- this exists where i live - Zipcar and drive now.

ginghamtablecloths · 13/01/2020 14:48

How much would it bother you when you've done a big shop? It sounds inconvenient to me and I wouldn't buy it. Plenty more houses out there.

curiousramshackle · 13/01/2020 14:51

Honestly? If there's no opportunity to create parking, I'd avoid. We moved from a semi with parking for 4 to a reno project with only parking for 1. I cannot fit the 'family' car on the drive and people park over our dropped curb making it impossible to use or means we cannot park the family car over our drive. It stresses me out beyond belief. We have to plan which car we take etc depending on my movements. Eg on my day off, we I can't do school run/shopping etc as I won't get a space AT ALL (there's offices locally and despite being provided park g/park and ride, people still us the roads around here). They circle like flies waiting to pounce on your spot.

Questionforyou · 13/01/2020 15:10

No don’t do it. Been there and it is awful! So bad that now, I don’t even consider properties with a fair amount of permit parking, I will only consider a house with a drive, even if that means a smaller/more of a doer upper property.

oohnicevase · 13/01/2020 15:12

Is there anyway of making a driveway ? Paying for a drop kerb etc and using the front garden ? I would hate it but have a big driveway and love it !!

LoonyLunaLoo · 13/01/2020 15:14

It sounds like a lovely house but the parking will drive you mad!

EatItWithYourHands · 13/01/2020 15:23

No way! I used to do on calls from my then boyfriends, now DHs house that had no off road parking. It was a nightmare when I'd return at 2 or 3am, parking even 3 minutes away felt like a lifetime in the dark. Then going out again if I got another call. I'd never live in a place without a drive. Plus I know have DC, walking up to the car rather than basically throwing them in from the front door (along with 3 or 4 other things toddlers desperately need everytime they go out!)