Cheap Car Parking in NYC
Most people realize that owning a private vehicle in New York City is a very expensive proposition. Buying even a second-hand car is serious enough, and keeping it in running condition as well as keeping the gas tank filled with costly gasoline can be financially draining. Add the daily costs of car parking and most New Yorkers will conclude that the sub way and the cabs are more practical options for their transportation needs. But there's always a way to minimize the damage. With just a little careful consideration, cheap car parking in NYC is possible.
Choosing a Parking Garage
For many drivers, the prime consideration for choosing a parking garage is the affordability of the fees. Others may decide to think of long-term considerations when it comes to cheap car parking in NYC.
- Special Discounts. Every now and then, the bigger garage companies may offer special rates and discount coupons. Edison Parkfast, for example, is offering 24/7 unlimited parking in their new location at the corner of 110th Street and 1st Avenue for $250 per month. They're also offering discounts for their other parking locations in Inwood, Theater District, Chelsea, Lower Manhattan, Downtown, Seaport, and Midtown.
- Personal Safety. Everybody has seen a TV show where the parking garage is a taped crime scene, with a chalk outline drawn on the floor. Frankly, it's probably better to pay for a secure, well-lit garage than pay hospital fees (or funeral costs, for that matter).
- Reliable Service. The bigger parking companies usually screen their employees and have a stricter standard for staff conduct. They will take better care of your vehicle, which may lower your car maintenance expenses.
Avoiding Unexpected Charges
For cheap car parking in NYC, extraneous charges can be avoided if you read the posted rate signs carefully and have the parking rates fully explained to you before you even park and leave your vehicle.
Once you park, make sure that you leave your car keys with the parking attendants to avoid fines or even towing fees (which are definitely not cheap at all). Bring the claim check with you and confirm that it has been stamped with the correct parking time. If the claim check doesn't have its address printed on it, write it down. Forgetting where you parked and spending hours searching for your parking location is another tactic to jack up your parking coasts.
It's also a good idea to know the precise dimensions (height, width, and length) of your vehicle. Generally speaking, most parking garages charge additional fees (an extra $5 to $10) for vans, trucks, SUVs, and other vehicles, which exceed their height or length guidelines.
Special Rates
If you are availing of special rates, make sure you comply fully with all the conditions and restrictions. If it costs $12 dollars to park from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, these special rates may no longer apply to you if you leave after 6:00 PM. This may also be true for some overnight rates, so make sure you leave the parking garage before the allotted time limit. If you fail to do so, you may end up paying the full hourly rates, which may be triple the discount rates.
