Moving to New York has a lot of good things, but it also has one huge drawback. As you already know, this is the city that never sleeps. There are people rushing out and about every second of every day. It doesn’t really matter which borough you are in. If you are driving a car, you are bound to hit a lot of traffic at some point. This is why many people want to find the best ways to commute in Manhattan and other boroughs. In this article, we talk about some of the best places to park in NYC. Find out what makes a parking spot good, and how you can find the secret, cheap parking spots in the city.
The problem with parking in NYC
First, let’s talk about why parking in NYC is really a problem. We already mentioned a lot of people. Some of them will drive cars. This, in turn, makes the streets – and parking spots on them – fairly occupied. Sometimes, finding a parking space is near-impossible. And even if you do, by some crazy chance, run into one, there are other things you need to deal with. The signs can be confusing, and your parking tickets can easily skyrocket when the meter expires.
This is why many people opt to search for parking garages in New York. These do cost a bit more than when you are parking on a meter, but they often save you the headache of finding the spot. Also, when you are in a hurry, or you are planning on staying somewhere a bit longer – they are lifesavers. According to some sources, there are over 1,000 parking garages, as well as over 100,000 parking spots in other lots all over Manhattan. So why is finding the best places to park in NYC a problem?
Well, just the mere number of these can sometimes be the problem. After moving to Manhattan, you will notice the variety of choices you have everywhere – restaurants, people, and yes – parking garages. There are enormous ones and tiny ones, so if there are expensive ones – there must be cheaper ones as well! Finding the latter might prove to be a problem. Then, there is also the problem of proximity. Finding a garage that’s both cheap and close to the place you are heading might be one of the biggest puzzles of New York lifestyle.
How to find the best places to park in NYC
There are many things you can do in order to find the best places to park in NYC. When it comes to parking garages, there is one rule you can follow. Opt to go for bigger companies with multiple garages all over the city. There are to reasons for this. First, they will have employee standards. You should expect good service with little problems. Secondly, they often offer various coupons and discounts on their websites, so you can find cheaper parking by using them often.
There are companies in Manhattan that range from only one parking garage, over having 10-20 to those who have over a hundred garages across the city. And even though the average price for the monthly parking can climb over $500, a lot of companies will offer you special deals. If you decide to get a six-month or a yearly garage package, then you might get special discounts. Just like when finding professional movers, try to negotiate with these companies as well. Maybe you will achieve in lowering the prices when going into a long-term deal with them.
When it comes to paying by the hour in parking garages, then the best places to park in NYC are in the populated areas. The charges may vary from neighborhood to neighborhood, and they can sometimes seem pretty pricey. This is why finding big companies in Times Square or East Village are a great idea. They know how expensive local garages are, so they will lower their own prices to accommodate you.
Extra tips on how to tip
There are a lot of things you should be aware at all times when you are using a parking garage. Even though they might be the best places to park in NYC, they can still charge you a lot if you are not careful. First, always make sure you read the rage signs and understand them clearly. You should confirm the rate before you even leave your car – otherwise, you will need to pay. When you get the claim check, make sure that the time is correct on it. Finally, know when you need to be out of the garage so you can avoid paying even more.
Then, you should also be careful when it comes to the size of your vehicle. Some parking garages will have extra charges for an oversized vehicle. Make sure you ask the parking attendant what rates apply to your car. Another thing you should also think about is the holidays and festivals in New York. Garages will often have special rates on these days. In order to avoid surprises, again, talk to the attendant.
Finally, never forget to tip the parking garage valet. What is expected of you is a couple of dollars, but you can add more if you were satisfied with the service (or it’s the holiday season). It’s a smart idea to tip when you enter the garage. This will ensure the valet gives your car a little extra care.
Talk to your movers
If you are unsure how to find the garage when moving to New York, there are certain things you can do. First, you should look into online resources. There are many websites that offer listings of all garages, so you can figure out which one is the best for you. This might take some research and time, but it will save you a lot of money when you need to park.
Another option is to just talk to your moving company about the best places to park in NYC. For example, you can talk to your Chelsea movers about what garages they prefer, and they can give you some useful information.
