In San Francisco, a portion of residential streets have this thing called residential parking permits. During the weekdays, there’s a time limit on how long a vehicle can be parked on such streets (usually one or two hours). To avoid this hassle, people who live there can apply for a permit. The privilege of being able to park your car in front of your house during the day costs about $150 per year.
The permit system serves two functions. One, the city gets the obvious racketeering-like revenue. Two, it prevents an overcrowding of cars parked on the street. Outsiders can’t take up spaces all day, and each additional car owned by residents would cost extra to park. I now live in an area with residential parking limits, and it’s rather nice to have ample parking available at all times. Because of this, I don’t have to dread coming home (or leaving in the first place) and worry about where to park.
It’s as close to having a private garage space as I can get.
Contrast that to my parents house, where it’s no-limit parking in the neighborhood at all times. Finding a spot is always a challenge, because each household have many cars (we have three ourselves). It seems half of them are always parked on the street, unmoved and unused during the work week. On late nights returning home, you’re almost guaranteed to have to park many blocks away. It’s a hassle and a battle. Soon as you leave your spot, another car is sure to fill it in no time.
February marks the start of a new annual on the parking permit in my neighborhood, which means I am finally able to get one for the M2. I waited this long - I moved here back in November of last year - because the city only prorates the cost for half a year. I did not want to pay the $75 for only three months. In the meantime, I’ve been parking the car at work during the weekdays, which thankfully is just a 10-minute walk away. It’s going to be great to be able to park in front of where I live (easily) once again.
Take you back to the old school.