(Please forgive any strange typing mistakes as I fractured my left pinky finger 2 weeks ago.)
We live in a town house in an apartment complex (we have neighbors on each side of us). We just got new neighbors on one side of us & they have been understanding about each apt. has 2 unassigned parking spots in front of it (that is what the apt. manager tells everyone who moves in). There are other parking spots across from the spots in front of the apts. About 1 1/2 - 2 weeks ago we got new neighbors on the other side of us... 4 very polite college guys, but their parking etiquette is very rude. A few days ago I had to ask them to move one of their 4 cars so my husband could park in his spot. Tonight they parked in my spot when I had only been gone for about 20 min. to pick up milk. So I parked in one of their spots (an eye for an eye type rudeness). They just don't seem to understand! My husband says it is probly b/c they are college guys from Texas & California & they are used to parking in the first spot available. Any ideas? Talk to them (again), write them a note or put a note under their windshield wipers? We have been here for 6 months & this is driving me CRAZY!!! I have 2 boys & I hate having to walk across the road with a 3 1/2 y/o in the rain (he hates being wet-except in the tub/shower).
I just spoke to the manager today (our apt. management is a bit defensive & rude too) &she sais that there is space for 2 cars per apt. in front, but it is first come first serve & that I will just have to deal with them. They have 4 cars & park them all up front!!! That is what is ticking me off right now.
Any suggestion will be truely appreciated!
Thank You & God bless!
Thank You Everyone for your suggestions! Unfortunately my apt. manager refuses to be of any help, so I am going to try to get to these college guys through their stomaches. I'm going to bake some cookies, introduce my family, remind them about the 2 front spots per apt. & ask that they save us the two spots in front of our apt.
God bless!
I would speak to the manager and ask them to request that the folks next door respect the parking situation like everyone else. YOu have two kids to lug around and groceries and Mom stuff, they have what... books and beer? ha! I'd pass the matter onto the apt. manager before I took into my own hands and perhaps got anyones "bad side".
This is really a problem with the apartment manager. If she wants to designate parking for each townhome, then she should do so with paint or signs. You should speak with her about it.
perhaps not all 4 of them know the parking rules, so talk to all of them and if it continues just let the manager know.
K.,
I would probably try to talk to them one more time just to make sure they all know the rules. If it continues, I would talk to the apartment manager - it's his/her job to enfore their rules. It shouldn't be up to you or your husband! If it continues after that, I would just keep calling the manager.
Hang in there - I understand how frustrating it can be to have rude neighbors!
Hi K.!
I dont think it should be your job to tell these guys where to park, it should be the manager telling them. If it makes them mad, they will get mad at the manager and not you! Good luck!
I don't think it has anything to do with where they're from (I've lived in TX and people there are typically very polite) but rather that they're young and immature.
I would take my children with me and ask to talk to them. I would explain to them why it's dangerous for your children to walk across the street and remind them that the two spaces in front of the townhouse go with your place and the two in front of theirs go with their TH. I think taking your sons with you will make a more lasting impression.
Guys can seem insensitive, but if you explain to them why those two parking spaces are important to you, I'm sure they'll understand and be more than willing to accomodate you. They might also think the kids are cool and want to help you more once they meet the kids.
Good Morning K., So sorry about your pinkie, hope it heals soon. I definitely understand the typing thing...lol Injured 4 fingers 2 really bad on my right hand in Feb. Was a pain for sure.
Is there a post or pole where you park? or just curb stones?
Speak to the manager and see if there is some way to post the address for the apartments parking spaces. Parking for A1 A1.. A2 A2 etc.. Besides reminding the young men you have two children to take in & it's very difficult to be far away from your space. The Manager should send out reminders or place a post of the Apartment places.
Good Luck K. and God bless you
K. Nana of 5
I can't speak for 18-21 year old guys these days...I'm still confused why Meth is out there and why anyone would do it?!?! But, I'm fairly sure if you explained...introduced the kids...and was very gracious and ginger about it...they will understand. Everyone has a soft spot for little ones and I've seen 18-year old soldiers on post help me get the baby out of the car in her carseat...the ones my husband has had to reprimand after getting a DUI. So, they all understand...and they all remember they too had moms who lugged them around. If they don't get it...I suggest using one car to park across the two spots!!!
Use the manager, let him do his job! If he can't get the job done, then take it higher-to the owner.
I would also contact the owners & request clearly-posted designated parking spaces.
I would also avoid sticking your kids in the middle. These young men have already proven themselves to be inconsiderate. Please do not put your kids in a position where harmful/unkind words or profanity could be used towards you. Good Luck!
First let me say, I know this is a very frustrating situations. We own our home, but have had to travel with my husband for his job, and on occasion, we have rented an appartment for months at a time. It is very difficult to revert back to renting, after having owned my own home for over 20 years. But the one thing I have learned, when there are serious problems with the neighbors, it is best handled by the management of the appartment complex. If you have a discussion with the management, they can approach the neighbors in a position of authority, and don't need to mention your name as the complainant. Do this before this battle for parking becomes a real war. It sounds like you have some irresponsible new neighbors who will not change on thier own, but with a little talk with the management, they may fall into line. Good luck, D.
Hi K., Let me start off by saying that I'm from California and I don't park in people's parking spots. LOL! I think about other people and if the manager told them what spot to park in and they are parking where ever they want then they are just being rude. I think that writing them a note is a good idea or just going over to talk to them and explain to them that when you moved in the manager told you that you have a certain spot and mention to them that you have kids and it's easier to park in your spot so you are closer to your home. I think they would understand and if they keep doing it then I would go to the manager. I hope this helps, I know it drives me nuts when people don't think of other people especially when people have children. Take care and God Bless You!
ask the apartment manager to paint the house #'s on the sidewalks in front of the apartments. Maybe after a few calls to him, at ahours when you feel it is necessary, and him asking them to move their vechiles, they will get the drift. Are you allowed multiple adults in one town house? How soon before they move in their girlfriends and you never get to park in front of your house??
I would discuss it with them all together, the 4 of them may be hard to get a hold of at one time, but it's worth a try. It has nothing to do where they are from, that's a silly excuse. Manners are manners and consideration for others exist everywhere. If talking with them does not work, discuss it with your apt. manager. if all else fails. Make your point. and make it clear. I would park behind the car in your spot. Trap them in, as long as it does not block all other traffic. They wil be pretty ticked when they cannot even get out.
Talk to them first, explain to them why you need "YOUR" parking spots and then gently remind them that the two in front of your townhouse are your parking spots, that they can park accross the way if they need to. Then gently tell them that if they keep parking in your spot you will notify the manager about the situation. This is not going to be easy, so choose your words. And be prepared for resistance.
Good luck and God Bless.
Hello dear friend! I agree that the manager should paint numbers on the parking spots. I once lived in an apartment with no assigned parking and I hated it when I had to park far away and haul groceries and/or laundry with a two-year-old in tow! Hopefully, your manager will be willing to do so! Take care!
K.
What about talking to the complex manager and seeing if they would paint the apt # on 2 spots for each apt. Or have them talk to them about it. Have you talked with the other neighbors are they taking their spots. If so have them talk to the manager also. Good luck
