I live on a street of Townhomes. Each home has 2 reserved parking spots (generally 1 garage spot and one reserved off-street parking). Everything else is fair game. My household previously had 3 cars. 1 got parked in the garage, 1 in the reserved spot and one parallel parked. About this time last year, I sold the third car, so I haven’t been parallel parking during that time period. I recently purchased another 3rd car and started parking in the same area as previously (the area can generally hold 4-6 cars depending on how well people park and the type of car). This area is also near our dumpster, and I know if the first car parks behind a certain line, then the trash company doesn’t complain. So if that spot is open, I generally park there. I was parked there today putting the plates on the car, and another resident pulled up and asked me how long I was going to be doing that. I thought he was asking about my tailgate being open (to get to tools) and I said I’d be happy to close it, if he wanted to park behind me. He said, “No, how long are you going to be parking there?” I replied, “For the foreseeable future.” He said, “I normally park there.” I said, “Ok, I used to park here until I sold my other car.” He got kind of huffy and parked further down the line (mind you his outside reserved spot was not currently being used, but may be used by another family member).
So, AITA for parking in an unreserved community spot and not yielding it to the neighbor who also wants to park there. (for clarification, these spots are not “in front” of any particular home)
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I live on a street of Townhomes. Each home has 2 reserved parking spots (generally 1 garage spot and one reserved off-street parking). Everything else is fair game. My household previously had 3 cars. 1 got parked in the garage, 1 in the reserved spot and one parallel parked. About this time last year, I sold the third car, so I haven’t been parallel parking during that time period. I recently purchased another 3rd car and started parking in the same area as previously (the area can generally hold 4-6 cars depending on how well people park and the type of car). This area is also near our dumpster, and I know if the first car parks behind a certain line, then the trash company doesn’t complain. So if that spot is open, I generally park there. I was parked there today putting the plates on the car, and another resident pulled up and asked me how long I was going to be doing that. I thought he was asking about my tailgate being open (to get to tools) and I said I’d be happy to close it, if he wanted to park behind me. He said, “No, how long are you going to be parking there?” I replied, “For the foreseeable future.” He said, “I normally park there.” I said, “Ok, I used to park here until I sold my other car.” He got kind of huffy and parked further down the line (mind you his outside reserved spot was not currently being used, but may be used by another family member).
So, AITA for parking in an unreserved community spot and not yielding it to the neighbor who also wants to park there. (for clarification, these spots are not “in front” of any particular home)
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OP has offered the following explanation for why they think they might be the asshole:
> I didn’t yield the spot I was parking in to a neighbor who has tried to use it for the last year.
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Contest mode is 1.5 hours long on this post.
Nta
Unreserved community spots are first come, first served. There will be days that spot is taken and you’ll have to go somewhere else. Do you plan on harassing whoever parks there? Of course not.
NTA …. it’s called unreserved for a reason? Your neighbor doesn’t get dibs just because they’re used to it. First come, first park. 🚗💨
NTA. It’s unreserved. You’re not blocking the dumpster. You’re not breaking any rules. Just because someone usually parks there doesn’t make it theirs. First come, first parked
NTA
First come, first serve. Unless someone’s name or unit number is on that spot, then he can go touch grass.
Nah, NTA. If the spot is unreserved and fair game, you’re allowed to park there. It’s not “yours” just because someone used it before. The neighbor’s issue is more about habit than rules. You handled it fine.
NTA you’re fully within your rights to park there. The spot isn’t reserved, there’s no rule about “unofficial ownership,” and you’re even considerate enough to park in a way that doesn’t mess with trash pickup. Your neighbor being huffy is more about him being used to having that spot to himself than you doing anything wrong. At the end of the day, public/unreserved parking is first come, first served, and it’s not your job to make sure he gets his favorite space
Nah, you’re not the asshole. It’s unreserved for a reason. If he wanted guaranteed parking, he should’ve bought a third reserved spot (if that’s even possible).
Definitely NTA. He’s got a spare spot literally outside his house. He can use that, and if there’s another family member they can park down the street in one of the first-come-first-served spots, or in the garage.
NTA. If the spot is unreserved, it is fair game for anyone in the community. Just because your neighbor has gotten used to parking there does not make it his by default.
dude needs to chill 😂 not like he owns the street!
Nope you’re good. We all get used to things being “ours” out of habit that are actually for public use, and it always kind of stings to be reminded of that, but public use spots are just that.
Doesn’t matter where its at, if they aren’t reserved, anyone can park wherever they want. NTA.
I’m going to say NTA for parking there as it is unreserved but I would say it’s first come first serve for him as well. He has every right to park there as well since you don’t own the spot either.
3 cars is ridiculous. Move to a house if you require so much space.
Unless they’re designated as reserved for a particular vehicle, household, or for disabled, parking is first come, first park.
NTA.