Apartment Trade-off Quiz: Could I Handle Street Parking Only?

Street parking: totally fine, or a daily headache waiting to happen? Between permit zones, street cleaning days, and that prime spot that’s never available, street parking is the kind of thing that can make a great apartment a little harder to love. For city dwellers, scoping out a new parking spot is just part of their daily routine. But for renters used to predictable parking, the cycle of 6 a.m. car moves, surprise tickets, and laps around the block can turn into a real hassle.

Before you sign a lease that doesn’t include some form of dedicated parking, it’s worth finding out if street parking is NBD, or a big fat no. Take our quick quiz and keep track of your answers as you go to see your results at the end!

Quiz: Could I Handle Street Parking Only?

1. How often do you use your car?

• A. Hardly ever. I mostly walk, bike, or use public transit
• B. A few times a week for errands or weekend trips
• C. I commute to work, so at least 5 days a week
• D. Every day. I can’t go anywhere without it

2. How would you deal with street cleaning?

• A. I’d just deal with it. Can’t really change city rules
• B. I’d set a recurring reminder to move my car
• C. Knowing me, I’d forget to move my car at least once a month
• D. I’d really rather not deal with it

3. How far is too far to walk to your car?

• A. Doesn’t matter to me. I like getting my steps in
• B. One or two blocks, max
• C. At the very least, I’d want to be able to see my car from my place
• D. Door-to-car distance only, please

4. How do you feel about your car’s safety parked on the street?

• A. I’m not worried about it. My street’s safe and quiet
• B. A little uneasy, but I’d get over it
• C. I’d be checking on it daily
• D. My car is my baby. I don’t want to leave her all alone

5. Bad weather hits. Still cool with walking to your car?

• A. Mother Nature’s gonna do her thing, so I’ll do mine
• B. I’ll grab my jacket or umbrella and tough it out
• C. I’d deal, but I think it would get to me over time
• D. Nah, I’m staying home. And I’d want my car covered, too

6. Do you regularly carry things to and from your car?

• A. Not really, it’s me and a tote bag most days
• B. Sometimes, but nothing I can’t manage
• C. Yes—gym bag, groceries, baby gear, dog toys, all of it
• D. I’m always hauling stuff back and forth

7. Do you have kids or pets that ride with you in the car?

• A. Nope, just me
• B. Yes, but only for the occasional vet visit or carpool
• C. Yes, and loading up on a busy street sounds low-key stressful
• D. Yes. Close, reliable parking would work way better for us

8. Does the potential for parking tickets worry you?

• A. Nope. I’ve never gotten one
• B. Not really. I’ve gotten a few, but I’m pretty on top of the rules
• C. A little bit. They’re not new to me, but I’d rather not rack up more
• D. 100%. They’d probably become a recurring expense

Results:

Mostly A: Street parking? You’re basically a pro at it. You’re pretty low-maintenance when it comes to your car, and probably relieved to find an apartment that doesn’t charge $150/month for parking. You know how to work with the rules, you’re not hauling a ton of stuff around, and your daily steps counter will love the extra walk.

Mostly B: You can make street parking work. Street parking isn’t your first choice, but it’s not a dealbreaker either. The key is to do your homework before you sign. Scout the block at different times of day, check for permit zones and street-cleaning schedules, and get a feel for how competitive parking is in that neighborhood. If the area checks out and the rent savings are real, the math might just work in your favor.

Mostly C: It’s a maybe right now, but most likely a no later. You’re not totally opposed to street parking, but it could turn into a real headache down the road. Bad weather days, hauling groceries, or moving your car for street cleaning all have the potential to turn into real regret. If you’re already making compromises elsewhere—longer commute, less space, no in-unit laundry—this probably isn’t worth adding to the list.

Mostly D: Street parking is a hard no for you. Your car is an essential part of your daily routine. The idea of hunting for a new spot daily, moving your car for street cleaning, or walking out in bad weather just doesn’t work for you. Add parking to your must-have list, filter your search accordingly, and don’t look back.

The reality of street parking has a way of revealing itself slowly. The first few weeks, you score the best spots, nail the street-cleaning schedule, and wonder what the big deal was. Then winter hits, or work gets busy, or you’re carrying a week’s worth of groceries three blocks in the rain. And just like that: you’re over it. If you don’t drive much and the neighborhood’s easy to park in, street parking is a total non-issue. Plus, the savings make it worth it.

But if your car’s a major part of your daily routine, be honest about that before you sign. How often do you actually drive? What’s your neighborhood like? How harsh is winter? Those answers will tell you right away whether this trade-off is worth it.