Is this rude?

[Beth76]

Is it rude to park in front of someone else's house for an extended period of time? Earlier this week there was a car parked in front of our house for several days. It was gone for a few days, but now it's back. Right in front of our house. It's not even on the border between our house and a neighbor's.
This is not a city street where street parking is the norm. I'm guessing it's someone visiting a neighbor as I don't recognize the car. But, why aren't they parked in front of that person's house. Would this bother anyone else?

 

[ckay87]

Well, while it's not "wrong," it would bother me.

 

[vivilasvegas]

I would only bother me if that's where I normally parked.

Otherwise I probably wouldn't even notice it!

 

[azgal81]

As long as they weren't parking in my driveway I wouldn't care. That happened to my brother somebody randomly parked in his driveway, made him late to work because he couldn't get his car out of the garage. It was just all very strange.

 

[CathrynRose]

I would only bother me if that's where I normally parked.

Otherwise I probably wouldn't even notice it!

Yeah - me either.

I suppose if the house that it *belongs* to has space in front of it, I probably would wonder why it wasnt it front of THAT house....

But... I dunno.

 

[Mishetta]

Yeah - me either.

I suppose if the house that it *belongs* to has space in front of it, I probably would wonder why it wasnt it front of THAT house....

But... I dunno.

Same here....

 

[SunFloridaDisney]

It would bother me because it would probably be one of our 'regular' spots.

I had a friend with a similar situation a while back. Turns out the car belonged to a guy who parked it there and was meeting a woman down the street for a secret affair. He'd park there. then they drove to wherever they were going.

I forget how my friend found out that info, but it was an interesting story.

 

[Beth76]

I suppose if the house that it *belongs* to has space in front of it, I probably would wonder why it wasnt it front of THAT house....

Exactly. There is space in front of every single house on the street, yet they're parked in front of mine. If it was a few hours it wouldn't bother me in the slightest. But, it was there for at least 3 days and now it's back. And I know they're not doing anything illegal. But, I still think it's rude.

 

[cardaway]

There are many reasons why the person specifically parked there. Without knowing if any have come into play I wouldn't say it was rude.

For example, that place could be the safest spot in the immediate area.

The only time I've ever had any damage to my car is when I had to park it on the street. The passenger side got ripped up big time by somebody who didn't even leave a note. Anyway, I can understand somebody parking their car where they think it would be safe as long as it's legal.

 

[ChrisnSteph]

It would bug me too, but depending on where you live not much can be done about it. We had this problem at our last house. Our neighbor would park his big monster truck in front of our house and leave it there for days. When we called the city about it, they sent out a police officer. Apparently you could park anywhere you want on the street for up to three days. After that, all you have to do is move it - even just a few feet - and you were fine. Guess that's life in the suburbs!

 

[mojophone]

If I didn't know who the car belonged to I might actually think about calling the police because it could be someone casing a house, following somebody. Or up to no good in general. Unfortunately you never know these days and I would rather be safe than sorry and would want the same for my neighbors. If it turns out to be nothing then that is a bonus. If it belongs to a neighbor and they get upset just explain to them that you didn't know the car belonged to them and if they aren't jerks they will understand and might even thank you for having everyones best interest at heart.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I only park in front of other homes when a spot in front of the home I am visiting is unavailable.

However aside from common courtesy--the property line begins at the curb and then there is an easement..so even if it is just a little old neighborhood street, not much can be done except maybe to figure out which neighbor they are visiting and request if it were possible for them to park elsewhere. There could be a valid reason they are parked there. Don't know what that would be off hand. But it isn't a black and white issue to jump to that it is rude for them to do that.

Now if any part of their car is on your grass--then that would be very rude--and you have a right to ask them to move it.

 

[kpm76]

Yeah, if it was there for days, it would definitely bother me. I think I'd start asking the neighbors if they have any idea who it belongs to.

 

[MouseWorshipin]

You can only park on one side of the street. So maybe they are visiting people across from you and park in front of your house because they have to park on that side and it is closest to the house they are going to.

I used to park across from my husband's (then boyfriend's) house. The batty old woman who lived across from him (whose house I often parked in front of) told me that it was "proper etiquette" that if you are going to park in front of someone's house, you should bring their paper in for them! So, when I'd show up, if there was a paper in the driveway, I'd walk up her driveway and ring the bell and give her the dumb paper.

Anyway, I'm totally guilty of street-stealing parking! (And I'd do it again, except this time I just might not bring the old bat her paper.)

 

[LisaNJ25]

Yes, but I live in a 2 family house and have no driveway. The house across the street has the front and the side of their house plus a driveway and the still park on my side

It just comes down to being rude. I carry 2 babies in and out of the house a few times a day and it can get annoying when my spot is gone.

In my town if a car hasnt been moved in 48 hours it can be towed. I have no problem calling the cops after the car has been there for 2 days and not touched.. especially if its one I dont recognize.

 

[Beth76]

It's actually not a safe place. It's in the way of my across-the-street neighbor's driveway. It's the perfect place for my neighbor to hit this car if she were to pull out of her driveway. Not to mention the perfect place to get hit with a baseball if my kids are out playing.

And I know there's nothing that can be done about it. I just don't see why anyone would park in front of someone else's house for that long.

 

[Papa Deuce]

Well, while it's not "wrong," it would bother me.

Me too, I must agree.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Lisa--So do you have to street park?

I had a home like this before. Since the spots aren't reserved--we were SOL if someone has a party and you came home from anywhere.

If it is violating the law in anyway-then definitely report it.

 

[Crankyshank]

Are you close or on speaking terms with your immediate neighbors? If so I would ask - if for nothing else but from a safety/security standpoint.

My street is very narrow and the houses all have narrow driveways. So if DH doesn't park in front of my house we would be playing the driveway car shuffle every morning. So if anyone parked in front of my house (and there's been many times where that has happened) it would create a problem for us. I definitely think it's rude.

My across the street neighbor has visitors all of the time and at odd hours. No one ever parks in the driveway which I think is kind of weird.

 

[cardaway]

It's actually not a safe place. It's in the way of my across-the-street neighbor's driveway. It's the perfect place for my neighbor to hit this car if she were to pull out of her driveway. Not to mention the perfect place to get hit with a baseball if my kids are out playing.

Well in that case it makes no sense, at least from a car safety standpoint.

I'm just thinking there may be a reason other than trying to tick you off. I know I can't imagine doing that and I live in neighborhood where 1 out 3 houses has at least one car parked on the street. People park in front of my house all the time and it's usually when the only free places around me are on the curves.