How to find parking in NYC during a recession

Last Updated on June 23, 2017 by Lawrence Berezin

During these difficult economic times, it is more important than ever to control your expenses. You probably know someone who lost their job and is struggling to make their monthly mortgage payment. Times are tough!

A friend of mine from New Jersey shared a recent horror story about his latest visit to NYC. He had a very important business meeting, which was scheduled to start at 2 p.m. The meeting was planned months in advance because two of the participants were from California, and the other from Canada.

My friend hit some “unexpected” traffic on the way into NYC, and the Port Authority parking lot was full. He drove cross town and circled for about 25 minutes before randomly selecting a parking garage. You had to be a rocket scientist to decipher the rate signs. He was thirty minutes late for his meeting, totally stressed out from the driving and parking experience, and ended up with a huge “oversized vehicle” surcharge on his parking bill.

How can you prevent this parking nightmare from happening to you? Here’s how. I am always on the lookout for resources that give our clients with valuable information. Several months ago, I was introduced to Margot Tohn, the publisher of “Park It!” NYC Complete Guide to Parking Garages. I purchased the Guide, read the parking hints and tips, and keep the book in my briefcase to plan my trips into NYC. This Guide is not a luxury. It is essential if you drive into NYC.

The book itself is beautifully designed and color coded for your convenience in finding the information you need, quickly. Just think, you are headed for an appointment on 72nd street, and you can plan to park in a garage with the lowest rates. You may even be able to take advantage of an “early bird special” by parking prior to a designated time at a reduced rate.

Here’s some of the information you’ll find inside Park It!:

• How much, when and why to tip a parking attendant
• Many detailed, color maps of each area of NYC
• FDR Drive and West Side Highway Entrances and Exits
• Locations, rates, specials, open/closing times, event parking, Oversize vehicle surcharge for more than 1000 NYC parking garages
• Every parking garage is personally researched by Margot

I’m excited about this product. I am not lucky finding on-street parking in NYC and always end up shrecked by the time I make my parking decision. It doesn’t feel good and detracts from the purpose of my trip into the City.

Why pay a king’s ransom to park your car in NYC? Isn’t it a lot less stressful to plan, know your rates, and cut parking surprises?

I purchased two parking guides as a gift for the first two readers to post a comment on this article. This is a resource you don’t want to be without.