Hey all--

I'm going to be living in DC temporarily for several weeks starting at the end of the month. I'm going to be staying in Dupont Circle and commuting to Walter Reed Hospital daily. Any tips/advice on parking at either of these places? I've got wheel locks on my MCS, but that's about it. Should I buy a club or any other anti-theft device? How bad is the availability of street parking in Dupont? Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance,
vin
'04 dks/dks mcs
http://photos.yahoo.com/mo2pa2002
http://vinreddy.blogspot.com/

PS--Are there any big DC MINI activities planned in the coming weeks?

 

I held off posting because I do not know DuPont Cir and neighborhood that well any longer. We tend to post drives on our website (www.dcmetrominis.org) before hand, often followed by chatter here. You may want to subscribe to the club forum here on NAM for updates while you are in the area.



Many years (1980's) ago I dated a very nice young lady who lived near DuPont Circle there. I did not club my car, but I drove a Pinto and then an old Jeep Wagon that no one bothered. Crime is no worse now as compared to then, but not a lot better. A Club like device would not hurt. If you have anything other than stock rims you may want to switch back if you can. MINIs are kind of common here now. I see four or five most every day I take an extended trip. Many here purchase Coopers as a city car, instead of a fun car (imagine their surprise) so the car is not as much a target as it was when it first came out.

I hope to see you while you are here.
John

 

If you are commuting to Walter Reed, will you be parking on base? If so, there are no worried really. However, the area of Georgia Ave. that the base is located isn't the prettiest. I don't have any real alternatives to parking near Walter Reed without being ON Walter Reed.

However, I can tell you up Georgia in Silver Spring there are some neat places for lunch. I'd check out the Quarry House if you get a chance.

Hugs,
PB

 

I work and park in Georgetown. I expect it is as tough in Dupont as Georgetown to get decent street parking. Most areas are zoned parking which means you can only park two hours without a residential zone sticker. Dupont is well trafficked by ticket ladies and you will get parking tickets if you are at a meter or in a zone over the allotted time. No good feeding the meter either, they will ticket you anyways after the time has expired. (Meaning if the meter is 2 hours, after two hours you are done even if you put in more money. Sucks, but that is DC!)

If you can park at Walter Reed and leave the car there overnights, you may want to consider basing the car at Walter Reed and taking Metro back to Dupont.

You may also want to find out if whoever you are staying with can get you a garage space.

Dupont draws a big night life crowd. There is crime, as everywhere in a big city, but it is overall quite safe. If you can get a club I would just as another deterent if the car is going to be on the street all the time.

 

The parking space I knew about in Dupont is no longer available. The other suggestion for parking in and around DC is to rent a garage, which while not cheap, can be very convenient and good for MINIs!

 

Thanks for the tips. I hopefully will have off street parking ready by sunday!

vin.

 

and watch out for the taxi cabs, they are invisible in the rear view.