Advice/opinions requested plz

[Murph]

Long story short. Going to downtown Baltimore next year for 4 days (harbor/convention center area). All hotels with parking garages nearby (and I need to stay nearby) charge $22 - $27 per night whether you are a guest or not. Hotel prices are very high ($175 - $275 per night). To save on funds I am thinking about booking one night in the hotel probably in the middle of my stay to shower but otherwise sleeping in my SUV in the garage the other nights to save money. I have an air mattress that can plug into my cig lighter and plenty of room inside the vehicle to stretch out. Here is what I already know:

 

1) Despite Baltimore's crime reputation, hotel parking garages in that area of town are fairly safe plus they have activities going on all through the night nearby so there will be people around.

 

2) Hotels frown on you sleeping in their garage and they are monitored with cameras but if you don't draw any attention to yourself you can usually get away with it.

 

3) Handguns for protection isn't a good idea. Maryland has some the strictest handgun laws and they are very tough for guns in vehicles. But, as I said, the garages are usually pretty safe.

 

4) Although underground, ventilation is still good enough to prevent carbon monoxide sickness and I will keep the windows rolled all the way up at all times. Temperature should not be an issue as it will not be in the winter or summer. I will probably only be in my car/garage from about 10-11 at night to 6-7 in the morn.

 

5) I will pack a cooler and have plenty of food & drink but there are also tons of places to dine within a 5 min. walk. The hotel's lobby bathrooms will take care of my other biological needs plus I can refill the cooler with their ice machines. Again, I will be discreet but I am thinking that about the time I may be drawing some unwanted attention to myself, I will be checking into the hotel for my one night stay so hopefully that will take care of any of their concerns.

 

My questions:

 

I've heard pro and cons about covering up the vehicles windows so nobody can peer in. Pros are it might deter quick smash and grab thieves. Cons are it is a magnet for police/security guards. Advice?

 

Any other things I should consider (like DONT DO IT AND HERE IS WHY...)?

 

 

 

 

[mr beauxjangles]

Do you need to stay downtown at night? Why not get a hotel/motel for around $60 or $70/night outside of downtown along the interstates?

[PhillyB]

split a room with somebody else? stay at a cheapass one outside of town?

 

almost anything has to be better than sleeping in your car

[Murph]

Parking in downtown Balt. on some busy weekends can be a bitch and I need to have a good close space and the hotels with parking garages give me that. They all charge a full day price even if I am only there for a few hours so keeping my car in the same space 24/7 will cost the same as coming and going each day. Plus I may be a little "tipsy" in the evenings so driving back to another hotel is not a good idea.

[Doyle]

You should take a van and park down by the river.

[Scrumtrilescent]

Take a mason jar and stash cash for the next year.  You aren't in college anymore.

[Murph]

True. And Philly is right, I should be able to find somebody to split a room with between now and then.

[thefuzz]

Stay farther away and take taxi's everywhere.

 

You are asking to get robbed.  Baltimore is not a very nice town.

 

 

[mr beauxjangles]

You should take a van and park down by the river.

 

[Hawk]

my sleep and comfort are more important than my budget...no way I'm sleeping in a vehicle anymore...been there, done that...never again

[TruCatzFan]

I think that while your idea is economical, it's a little crazy.

But if you're going to do it, I'd definitely back your SUV in to the parking space and against a wall. (This will prevent the random people walking bye from seeing u sleep in your vehicle)

Next while it may look weird, maybe put a sun blocker thing in your front window. (More privacy)

Finally, I would definitely crack your back windows at least an inch. This will prevent your interior windows from fogging up on you and alerting a potential security guard.

As a teenager I got drunk at many a party. Only back then I would just recline my seat, crack my windows, and throw my keys visibly onto the dashboard. I don't see myself needing to go your route in my adult life, but if I were to do it, that's the way it would be done.

Edit: I would also not only back into a wall, but I'd try to find a corner spot where you only have the front and one side of your vehicle exposed. From a security standpoint, this would be the most secure.

Good Luck

[toldozer]

You have almost a year to save and can't swing a hotel room? Then maybe you don't NEED to go.

[Happy Panther]

There is a hostel in downtown Baltimore...