apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Wasn't there a big argument about this on AT a few months ago?

Plz fix link to article....

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/26/garden/26halls.html?ref=style

just fixed the link...thanks for the heads up

I've done it but it's not right. I understand the desperation but it's really inconsiderate of your neighbors.

In San Francisco, if your building has a large enough lobby and the stroller is not blocking egress in case of an emergency, you have a legal right to park your stroller there.

But as we've learned, just because you have a legal right to do so doesn't mean neighbors won't shout epithets out their window at you, leave you nasty notes or move your stroller just to rattle you. They have even blasted music and refused to adjust the volume "until you stop being too lazy to carry your stroller up the stairs!"

Thankfully, the other 19 neighbors in the building are quite supportive and accommodating.

"It is public space, but also the transition to private space, and in places where space is at a premium, parking a stroller outside of your front door may be necessary." I disagree. It's just because it is a transition to private space -- for everyone living there -- that it must be free of obstacles and eyesores. I've seen it bad enough that I've literally had to move strollers that were butting up against my front door in order to get out of my apartment - and I'm a thin person! And where was I supposed to move them to? Blocking the front door to the owner's apt.?? Also had to ask a neighbor not to store all her muddy shoes where they were the first thing I would see upon arriving to my home. And I've had to walk by tasteless (truly scary grotesque, not the happy kind) of Halloween and Christmas decorations. Didn't say anything about that, because though I was offended, I realize that one must regularly endure such affronts in New York apartment buildings.

I've never lived in a building with families and strollers, but people have left things in the hallway of my building at different times and I never had a problem with it. I dont understand why anyone would, really, unless it was a whole LOT of stuff and really made a mess.

Apartment living, to me, means a certain amount of cooperation. There should be some give and take on both sides. If someone made a permanant home for their stroller right outside my door, I'd probabally be bugged by it.

I'm mostly concerned about the safety hazard. In New York, it's a violation to have a bicycle in the hall and I would assume it's the same for strollers (though I don't know for sure). In the event of a fire or evacuation, it can be really dangerous for tenants and firemen. Plus, I think it's really inconsiderate.

Wouldn't it depend on the dimensions of the hall, the location of the fire exits, etc?

In SF, you can't keep your strollers in the hall, but if your lobby is large enough and there is a discreet corner where you can store a stroller without creating an obstruction, it is a different story.

I actually have never parked stuff in the hall, although it's a wide hall, and I don't think I've seen other people do it either (umbrellas and shoes when it rains, that's truly all I've seen) in the co-op where I live. I did see it in the rental before this one though, both kid stuff and things like rolling carts for groceries and laundry.

I've taken my baby in the hall while someone's on the phone, but honestly, if she was being loud, I'd go to the lobby where there are places to actually sit. Makes more sense to me.

I wonder if it's more common in some types of buildings than others, like renters don't care as much about the neighbors as those who know we'll likely live there a long time, etc.

our condo doesn't allow anything in the hallways-- we even got asked this past fall (via letter!) to remove a pumpkin outside our doorway due to a neighbor's fear that the pumpkin would attract mice. we thought that was taking things a little far.

I think it depends on the building set-up. In my building, which just has an open hallway, this would be plain old obnoxious (and we'd be fined immediately--and rightly so). I have a couple of friends, however, who basically have their own landings on the stairs (and they are at the top) and I see no problem with that. If you can tuck the stroller away, go for it.