It’s not the sticker price on the vehicle; it’s the hidden costs that make you rethink your choice to own said vehicle. After discovering a huge unanticipated fee, one New York City woman is reflecting upon her choice to give up public transit in favor of her own wheels.
Charisma (@charismastev) says that though she lives in NYC, she bought a Toyota "to drive to the grocery store, or maybe go to a nearby state for fun."
In a TikTok with over 134,000 views, Charisma illuminates one of the hidden costs of car ownership in the Big Apple.
Buying A Car In New York City
Since Pennsylvania was potentially beckoning, Charisma says she made the "completely optional" investment to purchase a vehicle. Then she got some really good news: someone in her building said a parking spot was open.
"This would be monumental," she said. In NYC, people often resort to on-street parking or parking in a lot/garage that’s blocks away from their apartment.
On-street parking can be especially tricky because drivers have to navigate Alternate Side Parking and Street Cleaning rules. That means moving a vehicle so it’s not in the way of scheduled street cleanings. This can be quite a hassle, especially during inclement weather.
How Much Does A Parking Spot Cost?
When the confirmation email Charisma’s been waiting for arrives, she posts it to her page. The email is friendly, thanking her for her patience and providing an update on the cost: $150,000 for the spot.
"It had to be one hundred and fifty thousand human dollars," Charisma says to the camera. "One hundred and fifty thousand Earth dollars."
Then she thinks of all the other things that much money could buy, such as a small home or even "a mansion in the state of Arkansas."
"I just bought a Toyota, I could buy six of those," Charisma adds.
Charisma explains that the parking spot is priced that way because some of the units in her building are condos. She’s a renter, but speculates that it is a viable option for someone who owns their unit to invest $150,000 in a parking spot.
What Should She Do With The Toyota?
The internet couldn’t handle the thought of paying that much for a parking spot.
"George Washington United States American dollars?" Danielle (@danielleabria) said incredulously.
Tab noted, "You could get a ticket every day and it’d still be cheaper."
RealKayBaby reminded Charisma that in NYC, you don’t really need a car. "A car ??? NYC ??? Sista omg [broken heart emoji] noooo give the car back."
Is A Parking Spot In NYC Worth It?
According to a 2023 New York Times article, parking in the city is more than a pain; it’s a quality-of-life issue. "Inflation, the housing crisis, and post-pandemic aftershocks have made what was already an urban blood sport nearly untenable," the Times reported.
The problem is due to several factors: there are 2.2 million registered vehicles in the city, with more pouring in each day. There are ostensibly 3 million free parking spots available in 2023, and even the metered parking was considered reasonable. This created a problem: vehicle owners who’d "park and stay put" because it was cheaper than parking in a lot or garage.
In an attempt to curb this, NYC rolled out new pricing structures in October 2023, with the first hour for metered spots ranging from $1.50 in Zone 3 to up to $5.50 in Zone 1 for standard (non-commercial) vehicles.
These costs can add up over the course of a month, but it’s still nowhere near as expensive as forking over $150,000 for a guaranteed spot. Charisma says she’s got a backup parking plan that doesn’t include paying basically the equivalent of a mortgage on a square of cement.
Motor1 reached out to Charisma via email, TikTok direct message, and with a comment on her post. We will update this when she gets back to us.
@charismastev This is a real email mind you… I’ve already found a garage but was considering returning the car 😂😂😂😂 #nyc ♬ original sound - charisma
