i'm going to be as specific as i can with this question...

i'll be staying in NJ in mid july and want to bring the rental car into NYC on saturday and sunday. my rationale is that we will be in the city later than the last bus for jersey leaves.

i lived up there in the 60's and early 70's and never really had a problem finding a spot. on subsequent trips (i'm presently in SC), i frankly ignored the citations and nothing came of it.

i'm a bit more mature now, but none less thrifty. we've not been to the city for several years and i'm sure enforcement and rules have changed.

my question(s) is/are: can i still scam a space like in the 60's and get away with it? after all it'll be mid summer and a lot of resident owners may be out of town. or should i purchase a parking pass online and safe myself out?

please remember we're talking about weekend in mid july here and we plan on being in the city early AM.

thanks for your advice...

On the weekends you don't need to scam anything. In the residential neighborhoods parking is legal on the side streets (not the avenues - which are metered - and they will tow your car) on weekends. And in the summer you should not have any trouble - finding a spot within 10/15 minutes of circling.

Parking pass? what are you talking about. I've lived in NYC for 20 yrs with a car and have never heard of such a thing. Parking on the weekends isn't such a problem b/c many people get out of the city on the weekend. You don't need a resident's permit to park here--only in Brooklyn and some other boroughs. It may be difficult to park in midtown b/c many of the streets are no standing except sunday. The other poster is right--residential areas like the upper east side are easier to park in on the weekends.

Also, don't even think about double parking, parking at a hydrant, in front of a garage, etc. Parking fines have doubled in the past couple of years--fines are now up to $110!

And, don't think you can ignore a parking ticket just because you have a rental car. The rental company will come after you once they are dunned by the city!

thanks for your replies...