What is tandem parking?

Did you know that the median US home price last year was well over a quarter of a million dollars? It sounds like a lot, and for the newest generation, an almost impossible market to buy into.

Renting can be a perfect alternative in terms of cost and flexibility. If you live in a big city, you know the need for flexibility and space can be crucial.

One such space saver for an apartment complex or townhouse living is tandem parking.

So what is tandem parking? Well, we've all heard the term 'sharing is caring' more times than we can count, and tandem parking is much like that.

With tandem parking, you share two parking spots configured as one large spot with the person you live with.

Read on for a few tandem parking facts for the newly initiated.

1. Space Savers

In larger cities, it can be a hassle to find street parking.

Have you ever circled a city block waiting hopefully for someone to leave so you can then snag that coveted spot? Guilty as charged.

Not only is it not time-effective, but it can also add to road congestion and double parking (which is not quite tandem parking).

With minimal space available in certain places, tandem parking allows tenants to double up, thus accommodating everyone.

2. Cost-Effective

Say you pull into your complex and no parking spots are available at that time. You then head to the street and circle for a spot. You're exhausted, so you choose the first open stretch available.

You wake up and a big red 'NO PARKING' sign glares at you. You realize the spot is empty. Now you've got a tow ticket to contend with.

Alternatively, you drive around the street and decide to head to the nearest parking garage instead. The garage charges an overnight fee and you've got an extra walk up the hill to get home.

Tandem parking allows for a little extra wiggle room so both you and your roommate can still park near home.

This also saves you time and money in the long run. Who doesn't appreciate more of that?

3. Innovative

Using different techniques to accommodate parking can foster more pedestrian-friendly areas. For example, reducing the number of paved surfaces can be good for the environment.

If you're optimizing the use of land, the opportunity for open living spaces is more readily available. Giving rise to opportunities for more Eco-friendly options like tandem parking.

4. Accessible

Remote work has skyrocketed in the past year. For Americans, the number of those working from home is estimated to be at 25% in 2021.

Because of this, commuting is a thing of the past for those working remotely. In a very basic sense, the accessibility to a prime parking spot both at work and at home is no longer necessary.

If you're working from home, the use of your vehicle has most likely gone down which of course means less driving.

If you and your roommate are both working from home, the stress of rushing out to the door to get to work on time has, to a degree, lessened.

This leaves room for more accessible at-home options like tandem parking spaces. It also means you're okay to leave your car parked in its spot for a couple more weeks...if you want.

5. Public and Private Parking Spaces

Whether it's finding an apartment in Los Angeles or looking for a condo in Boston, the fact of the matter is, you most likely have a car to factor into the equation.

In bigger cities, you'll have less space and more people to navigate. It can be helpful to know that along with private tandem parking spaces, public options are available as well.

You can rent a tandem space in congruence with your 8-5, or, if you want to leave your car while you're on vacation, you can do so.

Each option provides you with a way to take care of your time and property safely.

Items to Note

Going back to the beginning, did you picture a bike when you first heard the word tandem?

As we've learned, tandem parking is similar. You're not quite sharing a bike but you are sharing a parking space... as well as a living space and everything that comes with it.

Once the right place has been decided on, hopefully, you'll be able to share some new memories made in your home together as well.

Now that we've gone over the basics, there are a couple of logistics worth mentioning. Below are 5 action items that will help you learn a little bit more about what tandem parking is and ways to maneuver it successfully.

You've found the perfect apartment to rent and it comes with a tandem spot. It's important to take into account the following to make sure you save yourself any heartache down the road.

The last thing you want after searching for a place to live is fighting over a place to park.

Be Communicative

If you've got a workday that starts at 5 am and your roommate arrived home from work at 3 am, you may have a tough time getting your car out in time for work.

Not only that, but this may cause some tension in the long run. Better to have open communication as far as scheduling goes to avoid any emotional pitfalls that come with a late start.

Be sure to keep each other up to date on work schedules, activities, and the like. Be open to sending and receiving frequent texts or voice notes to avoid any confusion on timing and schedules.

Managing schedules and spaces will require some ingenuity and coordination but it can be done. Patience is key.

Use a Fixed Schedule

If disagreements happen to crop up, one option would be to create a working schedule.

Maybe you alternate on a Monday, Wednesday, Friday schedule or maybe you go with a weekly rotation.

Do you work from home in the winter and your roommate works from home in the summer? Maybe a seasonal schedule makes sense depending on how often you're actually at home.

Either way, choose a fixed schedule and stick to it.

The structure may help alleviate any confusion and potential exasperation from playing musical cars too often.

Spare a Spare

This option isn't the most ideal, however, it can work in a pinch.

Be sure to swap spare keys with each other in the event of an emergency. If you're out and about and know that you won't be home for a while, your roommate at the very least has the option to move your car for you.

Having a spare key as a backup can provide temporary relief in a pinch.

Check Your Options

When asking initial move-in questions to your leasing agent, be sure to ask them about any additional parking options.

Do they ever offer the option to pay for unused spaces? Are there any tandem spots available for larger vehicles like SUVs?

If nothing else, it can't hurt to ask around and see what options are available to you before move-in. You may be surprised what they'd be willing to budge on.

Think Green

Want a break from the shuffling around of the cars? Walking to work or taking a form of public transportation is a fantastic option.

Have a bike that's been sitting unused? Take it for a spin. Many major cities now have accessible city bike lanes.

Don't have your own bike? That's okay. Some cities offer bike rentals for the day, like this bike rental company in New York that offers various rental options to get around.

You're not only helping the environment, but you're getting that heart pumping and legs moving. I'd say that's a win-win.

Park Here with Tandem Parking

All in all, moving and everything that comes with it can take a lot of forethought. Tandem parking included. These changes can be made a bit easier once you've mapped out the details and had the necessary discussions.

If you prefer the peace of nature, perhaps you may want to head somewhere more remote.

Tired of the quiet mornings, afternoons, and evenings? Head to the city for a bit more hustle and bustle.

Unsure where you want your next townhome or apartment to be located? There are plenty of online resources, such as Rent Lingo, to assist with your decision and make your next move a smooth one.

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