Wrenching at home without a garage?

[atalarico]

Hey all!

I have the unfortunate displeasure of apartment hunting in Denver, where the vacancy rate is less than 1% and prices are out of hand. The place I've been in for the past 5 years is great, but I'm pretty sure I won't have a roommate for the extra bedroom, etc. etc. I was looking for houses with my girlfriend of almost 4 years and our mutual friend, but she decided she doesn't want to be with me anymore...so it's been a less than amazing few weeks.

One of the perks of my current apartment is a covered garage space where I can do most of my own wrenching without issues. I can keep my fluids down there (so long as they're nice and tidy) and it's about as close as I can come to a private garage.

Is there anything in particular I should ask when I'm looking at apartments? I've heard some people have it in their lease that they can't work on their cars in parking areas, etc.

Is working on it in the street really that bad? I've seen those rent-a-bay garages, but I really don't want to do that unless I absolutely have to.

What do you guys do who live in apartments with no off-street parking?

Oh, and if anyone has any leads on places to live in Denver, I'm all ears!

 

[02_SE_Runner]

When we used to live in an apartment I just asked the neighbors if they are all right with me and my dad wrenching on cars infront of the complex sort of in the street by the curb. They were all fine with it so that's what we did. Our front door was 17 steps away as well.

 

[Burt]

You ever consider renting or buying a single family home? Gosh, rents are high enough that you could buy a small home or town home. Suggest the burbs.

 

[youngr]

I once lived in an Apartment Complex who's rules basically stated " Must be operational at all times" meaning they didn't even like a flat tire much less working on it there. The Wal-Mart down the street became my work space, I actually swapped my Integra transmission in their parking lot......

My suggestion is you specifically ask the leasing agent or you can always hope for a Wal-Mart nearby. haha

 

[flyinbrick]

I think that when it comes to working on cars, the first thing property owners/managers think of first is danger/liability, then the mess of spilled fluid, grease stains. So if you ask straight up if it's alright to work on your car, you will get a "no." However, I honestly think that it is for liability more than anything else. Hell, my townhome HOA doesn't allow car maintenance IN OUR OWN GARAGES and car washing, but I violate both regularly (many others wash their cars too).

I used to live in a small complex managed by a professional company that rarely if ever came around on weekends. Technically, we weren't even supposed to wash our cars, but people did it anyway. At the time, I had an e46 Bimmer and did cooling system, bushing, valve cover gaskets, etc. I never made a mess, always kept it tidy and cleaned up when I was done, even though the job wasn't. This kept the neighbors happy.

 

[atalarico]

Thanks for the input all!

Unfortunately, if I follow the "Rent should be around 1/3rd of your income" rule, I can't afford a single family home on my own. I don't have too many people in my life that I would want as roommates, and the ones I do don't have leases up when mine is.

I probably won't mention it at any showings I go to, and just look for off-street parking and then look for the tell-tale signs of other wrench monkeys (e.g. oil pans, oil containers, etc.).

It's just so ridiculous because I will be paying more for a place on my own, so it would make more financial sense for me to keep maintaining my own rig.

It's pretty demoralizing...

 

[ebg18t]

There are a few DIY places around you. Cheap way to easily work on your truck.

DIY Auto Repair Shops : Fully Equipped Self-Service Auto Repair

 

[LittleCaesar]

I had to live in a condo for close to a year once. Wrenching initially was a PITA but once I became good enough friends with the property manager, and changed her oil in her Camry (took all of 15 minutes), I was accorded the ability to work behind the landscaping shop. Only my neighbor knew about the arrangement.

Go and visit the apt/condo during the day and see where if any retirees are living. They can be the worst only because they can be quite nosy. Try and pick one far away from the management office.

Keep adhering to good fiscal practices and do yourself a favor: unless you expect a big bonus or raise down the road, find another, better paying job.