Westbrook, a little city located just to the east of Portland, Maine, has been known by this moniker for about 200 years now, and its former name is all but forgotten. Immediately before its name was changed to honor Colonel Thomas Westbrook, a local military commander in the French and Indian Wars, it was known as Stroudwater. But, before that, the settlement was named Saccarappa, after one of the two falls on the Presumpscott River, which runs through the town.
Westbrook has a long history as a mill town, first lumber and then paper, because of its location on the river. Actually, a second river runs through the town -- an early canal provided a way to get goods to market by connecting the rivers with Lake Sebago to the east, and its proximity to the ocean on the Portland side didn't hurt, either. See more
Parking can be at a premium in some cities where spaces are challenging to find. Some Westbrook apartments offer parking options, either outside in a common area or within a private garage.
Ask about the stipulations around the parking. Those may include how many guests are allowed and where tenants park.
Some apartments may only allow parking in front of your own unit. Guest parking may be in a common area for up to one person.
If parking is scarce, look around the area before you sign a lease. Ample street parking in a neighborhood championed for its safety is probably fine. However, it’s probably not worth signing a lease if it means battling for daily parking for you and your guests.
Research whether you need a city permit to park in the neighborhood. Look into the associated costs and what to do about visitors who need parking.
Some tenants prefer garage parking near their units. However, an open-air lot may prove cheaper.
Keep in mind that the cost of wear and tear from parking outside can add up. It may be less expensive, in the long run, to look for an apartment with garage parking.