Between Midtown and Downtown, preferably the West side. Can anyone recommend an inexpensive (I know that term is relative) parking lot/garage or even neighborhood where I'm likely to find a spot?

Weekend or weekday?

Another question: Where on the West Side--uptown, downtown, midtown? Give us a street!

What time and day of the week are you thinking of finding a spot? Usually after 6pm or 7pm on a weekday, street parking in alot of neighborhoods is possible. Weekends are generally easier as well. When I park on the West side, I usually do find a spot in the Chelsea neighborhood in the residential streets between 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th Avenues. I find a spot usually between 20th and 22nd streets. The best times for street parking during the week are after six pm during a weekday. Earlier may or may not be a problem dependending on a few factors (time, gridlock alert days etc). If you can't find a spot on the street, there are plenty of garages. There are some meters that you can park at after 7pm without paying. Sorry can't help you with prices though.

Iconparking.com has a whole raft of garages all over the city. You can check for prices for specific dates/times at any of them on the web site. The prices will be fairly good for commercial garages.

For something very inexpensive there's a garage on the far west side in the lower 60's (sorry don;t know exact address) where you can park at lower rates. But - then you have to take a bus/subway to wherever you want to be.

Parking on the streeet for free is a viable option only on the upper west side sidestreets - days and times depending on exact location since you must avoid the alternate side rules for street cleaning.

Also - what day of week/time of year. If you're talking about now your chances are slim since few people are moving cars - and # of spaces is reduced due to snow. (Ridges of snow prevent cars from parking as close together as they usually do - so much harder to find a space.)

Never trust posted rates outside NYC parking garages or lots. We have been burned several times on bait and switch when it was time to retrieve the car.

Next week, midweek, I don't care where, I'll just hop on the subway or get a taxi to get around.

Also I would be coming in at around 10 or 11am, leaving at around 7pm.

Thanks hopalong, I'll try Chelsea, that's near my husbands office anyway so it's as good a spot to look as any!