Would you leave all your worldly possessions in a car in a parking garage?

It is a calculated risk.

I have parked at Alewife for years and never knew it to have issues. Most of the MBTA garages do not have anyone who’s job it is to do security.

Too bad you don’t know anyone to be able to leave your car with.
I would say at my place in NH in the locked garage, but it may be a bit far and i recently had a burglary and a tree fell on my garage in the storm, so that may not be the best lol

I would cover it over with a blanket or something so it isn’t obvious what is there. If you can’t do that, I would put the most worthless looking stuff on top.

@blueiiznh Me too, and other MBTA garages in much less safe areas. I figure 12:00–3:00 pm on a Friday can’t be a high crime time.

I wouldn’t. I’d leave it on the street in a populated area instead. or ask a friend if I could park it at their place for the day, or in the parking lot of a grocery store or hospital, anywhere that would be high visibility not hidden in a dark public garage.

OR…do you have, or, can you borrow a car cover? THAT would be a good option too.

As @blueiiznh points out, it’s a calculated risk. There isn’t security and if Alewith is like most parking garages they will have a clearly posted policy that they are not responsible for any losses incurred if something is stolen from your car while parked in their lot, and as @wundayatta suggests, you should cover your stuff up with a blanket or something. And, I only half kidding here, but maybe you could put a layer of newspapers and a little junk and trash on top of the blanket to make it look like a hoarder’s car. Nothing as drastic as shown in the picture, those people have a mental disorder, but if people think it’s a hoarder’s car, they won’t think there is anything in there worth stealing. Yeah, that’s kind of a crazy idea, I know. :-)

Great idea, @lillycoyote ! I was thinking of throwing a blanket over it, but I fear that that will add to the mystery. I’m pretty sure I can get my hands on a pizza box :) And I can let my dirty laundry loose!

I don’t think so, I am leery about even leaving my car.

I’ve done it. Not that garage in that city, but I have parked my car overnight loaded up and hoped for the best. I have been lucky so far. In the visible areas I put stuff that does not look like they have any worth. Very very important sentimental things, like jewelry, I took with me.

Do not move anything once you get to the garage. The car must be ready when you drive in. Do not open the trunk, move things to cover other things, etc.

One thing to consider, send some clothes UPS.

No Security. And they say park at your own risk. It is not a good idea. Do you have a friend in town with a garage?

@sliceswiththings In addition to the things you mention and a newspaper or two, toss in a few empty liter soda bottles, rinsed of course, some plastic and paper shopping bags and you’ve got yourself some hoardouflage. :-) Though, if you can find someone’s garage to park it in that would be better, but that may not be an option.

Yeah, why not? What is different about leaving things in cars anywhere? Just use common sense and put it in the trunk or cover it.

A few hours should be OK. Maybe you could find a car repair or rental facility that would let you park it in their lot. I would never do it overnight.

Maybe take someone with you and let them guard the car.

I’m thinking I can fit all but my window fan, dirty laundry, and a box or two of books in the trunk. Those items shouldn’t be too exciting for a thief. The main thing is my accordion. In the past I’ve brought it but it’s such a hassle to carry around. Also leaving my computer and camera!

@sliceswiththings Well, then, you really don’t have much to worry about, I don’t think. I don’t think you even need the hoardouflage. Thieves generally take valuable things they can sell easily. Some thief “might” break into your car and steal a window fan in the middle of heat wave for personal use, but not in Boston, in November.

The main thing I’m worried about is the accordion, but it’ll definitely be in the trunk. This will make sure I make quick work of shopping!

No. The one time my worldly possessions and I had no home, I sent things off or gave them over to friends for safe keeping.

Um, it’s an even greater risk since you told the internets when and where your car will be unattended and full of your worldly possessions. I would vote no.

@sliceswiththings Alewife Station being the western side of the Republic of Cambridge is actually a reasonable risk mid day. A friend in Lexington commutes into Mass General everyday and parks at Alewife. In 10 years of parking there she has never had an incident.

I am unsure if the reason you are selecting Alewife is because you need to be somewhere close to the Red Line or the T.

I am not sure the specifics of your need to leave your worldly possessions like that, but I have a few places that i recall now from when I worked in Waltham/Lexington area (about 10 minutes west of Alewife). They are right off route 2 and 128, and are free and security patroled and monitored. I will PM you the recommendations.

If I had to choose between keeping them in the car or keeping them outside the car in the parking garage, I’d choose the car.
But I’d prefer to not keep them in the car: too inviting for some thief to come along, bust the window, and get lucky.