Parking prices falling, too

Even the cost of a parking space appears to be falling. The average sales price of a spot in downtown Boston was $68,455 in 2007, down considerably from an average of $92,810 in 2006. The numbers come from Listing Information Network (LINK). As with housing, prices remain considerably above levels at the turn of the century, when the average spot cost about $45,000.

But take heart, you who love watching rich people throw money at real estate. The Boston Condo Blog has created an online market for pricey spaces. Six are listed so far, of which my favorite is a $62,500 spot on Washington Street in the South End:

Desirable large end space, easy to navigate, next to pole for added security against wayward doors. Best single parking space available.

The most expensive listing is for an $85,000 tandem space on Commonwealth Avenue. Which is chump change when you consider that a space on the same street, albeit closer to the Public Garden, sold for $250,000 in 2006. As the New York Times reminded us in a piece about Manhattan parking spaces, "In Houston, $225,000 will buy a three-bedroom house with a game room, den, in-ground pool and hot tub."

For those seeking more modest accommodations, I recommend BestParking, a Web site with an easy graphical interface that allows comparison of parking options throughout the city -- including a $345-a-month spot about a block away from the Comm Ave tandem.

Of course, in much of Boston, you can simply hold your parking spot with a piece of heirloom furniture. (Photo: Boston Globe archives)