Parking around Kirkdale

[mattkirkdale]

Hi all,

Please be kind - first post and I don't want to make myself unpopular, but me and my partner have finally decided to buy a car. It wasn't a decision taken lightly, but we need it for visiting family.

So, I just wondered if anyone can tell me where the best place to park it would be around Kirkdale? - we live by the bookshop. Is is residents parking or free to park all hours? Is it a nightmare to find a space? Obviously directly outside the flat won't be possible as that is Kirkdale Road. We've only lived here since November, so getting used to things in London (from Devon!)

Thanks for all your help. We'll try and be considerate and not park anywhere where we shouldn't or that will cause trouble!!

Thanks,
Matt

[Eagle]

Probably best is Lawrie Park Road . Uusally spaces not too far down.

[Tim Lund]

Hi Matt

I'm not having a go, especially since you're a first time poster, but were you aware of the Streetcar location in Spring Hill? If you only need a car for occasional visits to family, it might well be all you need.

[Annie]

Hi Matt,
The only thing I would like to say really is please be considerate and dont park outside someones home if there is space across the road next to fencing or walls that wont interfere with anyone as often happens where I live, The Hall drive residents seem to think Lawrie Park Gardens is their private car park!
I know anyone can park anywhere as long as it is legal blah blah blah so dont start any lectures please anyone,I'm just asking for some consideration for the residents who live there.
Thank you
Rant over, Oh and welcome Matt

[biscuitman1978]

Hi Matt

I'm not having a go, especially since you're a first time poster, but were you aware of the Streetcar location in Spring Hill? If you only need a car for occasional visits to family, it might well be all you need.

Yes, I use Streetcar and find it very handy (and all I need for the odd trip to visit family/friends, pick up bulky items, etc).

Streetcar is also merging with ZipCar, which will increase the pool of cars from which you can choose (albeit the membership will be greater).

[dickp]

Anyhoo…to answer your ACTUAL question. Parking anywhere near Kirkdale Tesco is an absolute mare. You’ve have much better luck on Jews Walk (closest), Beaulieu Avenue (middling) or Longton Grove (which is a bit of walk).

BUT, to my muesli eating colleague’s credit, they may have something of a point regarding the cost of car ownership these days. If you’ve not owned a car for a while, you’re likely to be in for a bit of a shock – especially living in London.

• Car (say, old, but low mileage, for £3K - car owned for 6 years) = £500 per year capital costs.
• Insurance (London is high risk). At least £500 - £600 per year (my rates have just jumped by 30% in one year, even after I haggled with them).
• Car tax (the sting in the tail for the unwary, depending on emissions). Anything between £40 - £240 years for a mid sized motor.
• Servicing. Let’s say £200 - £300 per year, bare minimum. Probably a lot more, the moment you do anything crazy, such as replacing your tyres.
• MOT. £40.
• Tank of petrol. Probably about £60 these days – say £900 per year.

So, you’re looking at between £2,180 - £2,580 per year for driving an old-ish car for about 4,000 miles per year. And that’s before you start paying your regular transport costs on the tubes and trains.

Ouch.

[maestro]

Anyhoo…to answer your ACTUAL question. Parking anywhere near Kirkdale Tesco is an absolute mare. You’ve have much better luck on Jews Walk (closest), Beaulieu Avenue (middling) or Longton Grove (which is a bit of walk).

BUT, to my muesli eating colleague’s credit, they may have something of a point regarding the cost of car ownership these days. If you’ve not owned a car for a while, you’re likely to be in for a bit of a shock – especially living in London.

• Car (say, old, but low mileage, for £3K - car owned for 6 years) = £500 per year capital costs.
• Insurance (London is high risk). At least £500 - £600 per year (my rates have just jumped by 30% in one year, even after I haggled with them).
• Car tax (the sting in the tail for the unwary, depending on emissions). Anything between £40 - £240 years for a mid sized motor.
• Servicing. Let’s say £200 - £300 per year, bare minimum. Probably a lot more, the moment you do anything crazy, such as replacing your tyres.
• MOT. £40.
• Tank of petrol. Probably about £60 these days – say £900 per year.

So, you’re looking at between £2,180 - £2,580 per year for driving an old-ish car for about 4,000 miles per year. And that’s before you start paying your regular transport costs on the tubes and trains.

Ouch.

Fairly accurate analysis, the only error I can spot is your valuation of the car if you kept it for six years, you've assumed it's worth nothing at the end. Provided you looked after it, kept the bodywork free of damage, serviced it professionally and keep the service history stamped up, and sold it with a decent amount of MOT and road tax left on it, well then you'd still have a car probably worth a grand. The reliability reputation, together with the running costs of the car, will also affect how much it's worth and how easy it is to sell.

[biscuitman1978]

...to my muesli eating colleague’s credit...

I'm more of an organic porridge kinda guy, really.

[dickp]

Good point. I tend to run them into the ground, but a decent runner will be worth a few quid.

God, they're expensive, aren't they? No wonder I'm skint.

[Tim Lund]

I've just hit eleven on the smug-o-meter

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[mattkirkdale]

Thanks for all the advice. I do promise to be thoughtful. I've been relying on public transport for so long, and we'd like to start a family so I believe the car was a right decision *hangs head in shame!!*, but we'll see how it goes.

Matt

[Tim Lund]

Matt

If it helps make you feel any better, we had a car while our children were small. We gave it up when they were about 12 / 13, and realised by that age that we didn't really need it.