How much is a parking spot worth in Arlington, VA?

When looking for a rental, parking is an important factor. With the limit of parking in Arlington, building parking is in high demand, and tends to be somewhat pricey. If you're lucky, the condo comes with a parking spot, although the "price" is already included in your rent price. But, sometimes you need more parking spots, or the unit doesn't include a parking spot. Since owners pay anywhere from $20,000-$36,000 per parking spot (yes, ridiculous), and parking is rationed, they are able to charge about $100-$125/month for parking. Most buildings have bulletin boards in the garages of owners who are renting out parking spaces. This is your best bet to find addition parking spots.

Before you think paying this much for parking is outrageous, think of what you're paying for...When I was deciding between renting a parking spot for $125/month at my condominium, I decided it wasn't worth it, and decided to do street parking. Oh how quickly did I change my mind. I spent an hour shoveling my car out from street parking. Then, I remembered how annoying it is when I get home after peak rush hour and have to park 3 blocks away and walk to my condominium. Then I remembered walking out to my car and seeing a HUGE scrape spanning my entire side of my car where a car hit me while driving down my side street. Then I remember how miserable it was walking down the street in the pouring rain when I forgot an umbrella. Get my point?

Forgoing these moments is what you are paying for. Just this weekend, you wouldn't have had to worry about massive amounts of snow on your car, having to shovel your car out, worrying if the snow caused any damage to your car. You have a designated spot. No need to fight over prime parking on the street. Your assigned underground parking spot is in relation to your unit, so you're also as close as possible to the elevator to take you up. No need to walk blocks to your condo in the harsh weather. With shopping bags in hand, all you have to do is walk through a warm covered garage. You don't realize the small luxuries until you don't have them. So to emphasize my point just one more time...How much is the convenience of underground parking worth?