Saving parking spots on city streets (Chicago, Schaumburg: maintenance, garages, public transportation)

[long101]

Originally Posted by Chi-town Native

funny this popped up, as I got home yesterday and there was a chair in front of a most decidedly un-shoveled spot in front of my house.

so even though I have a garage I threw the chair in the parkway of the offending neighbor (who extra-aggravates me as they do this for two spaces, yet can't be bothered to shovel the sidewalk), and parked in the spot myself. furthermore, I shoveled out the spot so it was carwashed-clean, burying the offending chair in a pile of dirty snow. I saw it leaning against their house this morning.

ha props to you

[GT28107]

Originally Posted by Chi-town Native

what kind of goof thinks literally 5 - 10 minutes of shoveling entitles them to a private spot?

No kidding. It boggles the mind.

If I lived down there, I would have done the same thing you did. Bravo.

[Humboldt1]

Just last night I was on the block where I have an apartment building in Humboldt Park and saw a bucket reserving a spot. Though I did not need to park in the spot I gently placed the bucket on the side of the road so someone else can park there. I still will not destroy their stupid bucket as that is their property, right or wrong.

Chi-town,

You are naïve if you think people will not key or damage your car if you park in their spot.

[coldwine]

I didn't really notice it much; I never owned a car in Chicago. I mean you see these things but it never affected me.

When I bought an actual home, though, a house... Things changed. I never shoveled the street, because I won't make that concession to the car. However I always kicked items out of the spot.

No one is going to put their garbage in front of my home. I myself always shoveled my sidewalk, however.

[Irishtom29]

Originally Posted by Humboldt1

Chi-town,

You are naïve if you think people will not key or damage your car if you park in their spot.

When you know who they are they won't.

[Humboldt1]

Irishtom,

Try that in HP without a gun (bat will not be enough)

[Chi-town Native]

to echo/build on what Irishtom said, also helps for *them* to know you.

yeah, there are a few sociopaths out there that will go postal, but in my experience it ain't many - this is more urban myth than reality.

[Drover]

Originally Posted by Chi-town Native

to echo/build on what Irishtom said, also helps for *them* to know you.

yeah, there are a few sociopaths out there that will go postal, but in my experience it ain't many - this is more urban myth than reality.

Well I've lived that "myth," three times -- same culprit. That's how pissed off she was.

[soulful]

Savings parking spots is rampant in Chinatown. I was down there last weekend and there were lawn chairs out holding 2 to 3 car lengths on almost every residential block. Amazing. These folks think they own the public street.

In Lakeview, I 've never seen this with the exception of move in day when folks are holding spots for the truck.

[New2SouthernIL]

This seems to be a tradition in Chicago that I've seen my entire life (since the 70's). 99% of the time, everyone respects it but the other 1% I too have also seen people claim spots they haven't shoveled or just didn't care. I think it's silly either way because street parking is public parking, first come first serve but whatever...I'm just thankful I don't have to deal with that anymore!

On a personal note, I can recall only 1 time when I "took" someone else's spot, and this was only due to the fact that I was a single mom with 3 small children, one of which was ill and there was no parking nearby. The next day (which was Christmas Day) I woke up to 4 flat tires. This was near Irving Park & California on a residential block.