It’s a parking one!

[WhackingPhoenix]

New neighbours have moved in a couple of doors up, we’ve only spoken to them once so far. We all have driveways (DP uses ours because his car is large and mine is quite small and generally easy to squeeze in anywhere) but there is reasonably easy on-street parking. I usually park at the front of a line of three cars, there’s room for all of us to park very comfortably and no problems getting out of the spaces.

However, new neighbour has taken to parking his SUV about half a car length from the car behind, taking the ‘middle’ spot AND my usual spot so I can’t park there anymore as my car would stick out too far. He knows I park there as we occasionally walk to our cars at the same time in the morning and do ‘the nod’. Now, every time I get home from work he’s parked across two spaces and everyone else has already parked because I tend to be the last home, so I have to park miles away!

WIBU to politely ask him to move back a bit so we can all fit?! In person or a polite note on his car? 😩

Although you would think people would be aware of it, a lot of people just dont think about others when parking. So I would ask him with the attitude of he did not realize. At least then you have a chance of changing things.

I find men are generally really twattish about this sort of thing. I have newish neighbours & they had family park their cars opposite my driveway so I couldn't get my big SUV on/off my drive. He was a complete arse about it, talking down to me, implying I can't drive my car etc etc. but they don't park there anymore & we don't speak. Winner all round really 👍🏻

I know it's not helpful, but I am so thankful for having a double drive and never having to worry about parking problems.

Is there any way you could extend your drive into your front garden?

I know it might seem drastic but I think parking issues are just going to get worse and worse.It just saves a ton of stress not thinking about these things and it's not so expensive if you do the work yourselves.

I feel your pain! Parking where I live can get a bit "full" when everyone is home - most people are considerate and very much aware - and therefore most of the time it's not a problem, but there is one neighbour who seems to think she is entitled to 3 parking spaces plus a driveway! I can't get into specifics as anyone living here who is on MN would immediately know who I'm talking about - but due to slightly unique road layout/parking spaces - the way this neighbour parks ultimately takes up 3 spaces in the road - and she has a private gated driveway too which she refuses to use. She totally knows what she's doing - she can park properly when she has to.

Thankfully the other neighbours seem to have a silent agreement/understanding - and as soon as she drives off - cars move to take up the spaces in the proper way - which seems to sort it for a little while but any opportunity to take up all the spaces - she's in there! I've been close to posting my own parking thread a few times because of the passive-aggressive parking shenanigans that I get to watch - and occasionally participate in!

Not sure how to deal with your neighbour - depends what kind of person he is. I would hope that most reasonable people would be prepared to adjust their parking by a few feet to accommodate another car - but people can get very defensive re any perceived criticism of their driving/parking.

I'd be inclined to ask him if he could try and park right up to the end of the three-car space, as you've only got a small car and you're a dab hand at getting into the gap in the middle provided the other two cars are at the ends. Then if he's worried about being blocked in, he doesn't have to admit it.

Pleased to report that I’ve just got home and the SUV has parked at the ‘back’ so I’ve jumped into the middle and left the ‘front’ free! Let’s see if he comes out in the morning and it all clicks into place 🤪

Next time you come home and can’t squeeze on the end, knock and ask him to move up a bit so you can squeeze on

before I moved here the previous tenants didn’t have any vehicles and one neighbour two doors down would park right outside their gate regardless of who else was parked, often leaving a gap 3/4 of a car length. I had a tiny car and was a very good parker so one night knocked and asked them to move forward a couple of feet so I could manoeuvre into the gap. I had two young children at the time and was a single parent and there was no other parking anywhere (I was always happy to go next road but had tried) They were a little more considerate after that (though I recently found out they came out and told a friend of mine off for parking in “their spot” when he came to visit so obviously not that considerate!!)

best thing I ever did was pay for a drop kerb. Can only fit one car on, but least we can block each other in.

can you do that? Block the end of your own driveway?

I think that's a great point that a pp
made about having to do your test in an SUV. Seems ridiculous that you can pass your test in eg a Micra and then drive a massive car around the next day without any training in how to do so.

I understand the principle behind this but in practise it is more difficult. When I passed I drove a little 3 door Ford fiesta. However after a few years the car died and we couldn't afford another so me and DP share his car. Its a far bigger salon car.

My point is the size car you drive will often change over time so saying you need to do the test in the car you will always drive is just not realistic.

Why can’t he use his drive, it’s public highway so no rights

I’m not going to respond until you post a diagram.

Diagram is on the first page 😉

As for modifying my driveway, we live in a listed building so we’re very limited as to what we can do with it! We’re trying to clear our garage so I can park in there but we’re a loooong way from that as it’s full of shit things we haven’t found homes for yet.

Also the actual track where our house is is owned by the big house at the end so we can’t park anywhere apart from our driveway or the cul-de-sac that leads to our track. It’s confusing! Sooo I’ve drawn another diagram

I got home early today so parked as far back as I possibly could.

Came out to walk the dog 30 mins later and here he is 🙄

The bend at the front is where I usually park, but you couldn’t put a car there with how he’s parked just now as there is always a car parked opposite, with room for one vehicle to pass between. The space he’s left between his car and mine!

Ugh, how infuriating and inconsiderate! Is he really that oblivious?

Will the third car have to park miles away now? Perhaps they’ll have a word!

I have similar with a neighbour. She likes to park in front of her own gate even though it leaves a half space so I can’t get in. I’ve talked to her, drawn her a diagram, explained she prefers the third space and needs to park just before her gate. she does it for a couple of days, then goes right back to her gate using two spaces. She drives a mini too!

I took my test in mine 😁. Big Land Rover.

And I passed.

I definitely don’t think or act like I own the road. I’m very considerate and so careful where I park.

Having seen the photo he's a twat! Good luck op.

Have you spoken to him yet?

Have you spoken to him OP? Perhaps he doesn’t realise. You’re not being unreasonable at all, sounds a pain. Hope he is reasonable about it when you ask!