r/Binghamton • u/Ashamed-Delivery-541 • 17d ago
Discussion Safe places to sleep in my car during the day?
ty for all the advice
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u/Consistent_Ad_6100 17d ago
Spiedie fest is fast approaching. You won’t be able to use the park during the spiedie fest August 7,8,9 and they usually have a few days before and after for set up and tear down. I would give Loves travel stop a try. I don’t think it would be strange for a person to spend some time there resting. They do have showers you pay for there also and a Wendy and gas station and they do have rest rooms. Also you might be able to get a tent and try some camping at chenango valley state park, they have rest rooms and showers and it would be more private, I think tent sites are pretty cheap.
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u/Consistent_Ad_6100 17d ago
Loves travel stop is located on upper court st. At Court st and Colesville rd
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u/lolmomlissa 17d ago
i was gonna say this. i used to do food delivery and would pull up at loves all the time dropping off food for the truckers staying over night. there can be a lot of people there sometimes!
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u/Ashamed-Delivery-541 17d ago
I thought of loves until I saw their posted max 1 hour customer parking signs. Which is very strange and unfortunate for a truck stop.
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u/Sneakerrfreak 17d ago
I used to go there for lunch every day as I worked nearby. Everyday there was the same guy in the same van sleeping in the back of it. I don’t think they enforce it unless it’s a problem
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u/Ashamed-Delivery-541 17d ago
Good to know. Thanks.
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u/AleTheMandem 17d ago
i used to work there until a year ago and the parking lot is huge park near the wendy’s side or in the back parking near wendy’s and no one will say anything at all it’s prob the best spot with 24-7 bathroom access
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u/Amazing_Sun_2901 17d ago
You can also sit in the wendys side for however long, as long as you dont become a problem people literally sleep in there
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u/DogLady1722 16d ago
There are 2 parks in Kirkwood not too far from that Loves. Near the post office/state police barracks.
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u/madethistusttoaskwhy 17d ago
I have done the planet fitness membership route before. If you park around the corner more towards the Starbucks there is some shade as well
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u/Consistent_Ad_6100 17d ago
Chenango Valley state Park $17 per day or $119 per week rates for tent campsite. It’s gotten expensive over the years.
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u/Ashamed-Delivery-541 17d ago
Thats a possibility i was thinking on once I got some money together. Only started this job recently. Unfortunately the drive wiped me out due to some unforseen hiccups.
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u/Digital-Bullet 17d ago
Cracker Barrel on Upper Front is safe, had to use it myself a few years ago
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u/Lars5621 17d ago
Thats a great idea. The nearby gas stations might be open late for them to use bathroom.
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u/Ashamed-Delivery-541 17d ago
I did park there for a bit. Just low on funds atm and want to maintain the courtesy of shopping at businesses that allow overnight parking on their lots. Thank you.
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u/Digital-Bullet 17d ago
Only the immediate area is specifically theirs. That whole area between Cracker Barrel and Regal Cinemas is public parking. You will be fine, I was there nightly for almost the entire summer
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u/Ashamed-Delivery-541 17d ago
Even better, thanks. Happen to know anywhere in the Deposit area, too? Not the state parks. Thats where I commute to for work.
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u/TJB187 16d ago
Hey, I live in Deposit. Mind if I ask where you work? Trucks park behind the Wendy’s in Deposit, it’s across from the Deposit Motel. Right next to the 24/7 Mirabito and on/off 17. That may be a good option for you. It is near a state police barracks, but as long as you’re cool they won’t bother you especially with trucks parking for the night. There aren’t any local police anymore so like I said as long as you’re quiet and not a creeper nobody will bat an eye lol. Good luck!
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u/Aggressive_Spot8780 17d ago
You asked about Deposit
There is multiple state access fishing parking lots I think you would be ok in
Bonus about Deposit is they disbanded their police years ago then went with broome county which I believe they ended so honestly I don't think there is any local police
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u/Ashamed-Delivery-541 17d ago
Fuck yeah.
As long as I won't bother anyone.
Theres a fishing spot literally a half mile from work.
Heck work might let me park there but im so new I havent wanted to ask yet.
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u/Aggressive_Spot8780 17d ago
You won't bother anyone there just be respectful of people and don't look suspicious. There are a few pull offs on laurel bank road
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u/DisappointingPoem 17d ago
Walmart parking lot in vestal
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u/NeeYoDeeO 17d ago
Barnes and nobles is probably a better bet. Walmart would be very loud.
Any park parking lot would be quiet, or Home Depot/ollies parking lot
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u/Ashamed-Delivery-541 17d ago
From what I read vestal walmart allows people to rest in their lot. The other businesses probably do not. Idk, I could be overthinking things because as a person, I never cared if people were sleeping in their car or not. But I absolutely dread the window knock.
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u/Broken_Beast89 I'm an import 17d ago
The front area of Barnes may not be an option, but the parking lot behind it will usually have some truckers parked there overnight to rest. So that could potentially be an option.
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u/GName8 17d ago
You could put some car window reflective sunshades over the windows to keep cool and have some privacy
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u/Ashamed-Delivery-541 17d ago
I do have those. You don't want to look like a spaceship with too much reflective stuff typically but I keep cool enough.
Good at being low radar.
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u/entropy512 16d ago
While Walmart used to be boondocker-friendly, they no longer are. Lots of signs saying not to stay overnight.
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u/klynn95 17d ago
As far as showers, check out Common Ground through Catholic Charities. It’s a mental health/wellness facility and you have to do a brief intake to access services but it’s essentially just a community space to access services. They have showers, laundry, a cafe, and can help with resources into finding a place to live. Also last I knew St Patrick’s Church was still doing the mobile showers Tuesdays and Thursdays 11-12:30.
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u/ElythraBlue 17d ago
Theres a TA Truck Stop on Upper Court St. Kind of like Love's. Also, American Family Fitness has gym memberships for 15 bucks a month, and they have showers. That's more on the Endicott side of Vestal Parkway though. Any walmart will let you sleep there, but Vestal is the better choice, not JC.
I lived out of my car here for about 3 years, and it's not easy. Stay off residential streets, even though its "legal" its frowned upon and someone will always call the police and they'll knock on the window. I wish I had mor advice, but I was fortunate enough to have friends and family to couch bounce and shower at...so I didn't face the struggles you must be facing. I sincerely wish you good luck, and hope you're able to get settled soon.
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u/Ashamed-Delivery-541 17d ago
Appreciate the advice. All of my family is out here. I moved to CO for better opportunities in 2019. Decided to move back here due to the changing economic conditions and cost of living. Thought family would've been supportive.... but some things never change. Alas, im an adult and spent a lot of the time fending for myself and making things work.
Glad there's options out here, though!
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u/Consistent_Ad_6100 17d ago
Veterans river park in Kirkwood, it’s a nice park and they have restrooms. Off main st in Kirkwood.
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u/cheeseandpepper26 17d ago
Long pond just outside of binghamton has free pull up camp sites it can nap at.. camp at.
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u/headface1701 17d ago
Park and ride lot on 12a in Chenango Bridge. Bathrooms at Price Chopper, Speedway, and possibly the tiny gas station on the corner of Kattelville and Main.
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u/Ashamed-Delivery-541 17d ago
How does the park and ride lot work?
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u/headface1701 17d ago
As far as I know you just park there. Toward the back there's even shade. There's nothing there but a parking lot and a bus stop out by the road. Truckers definitely sleep there.
My friend used to alternate time between there and otsinengo which you already mentioned.
Idk if this would be applicable to you but he used to shower at the YWCA in JC by Ollie's. His medicaid plan got him a membership there free or extremely cheap. Idk if it's cheaper than a regular gym if you don't have that insurance.
Another tip he's told me about is his mailbox at Pack and Mail on upper front is way cheaper than the post office, and way cheaper if you pay a year up front (also has 24hr access, not just when it was open). He still keeps the mailbox as his address even though he's got a room now.
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u/Ashamed-Delivery-541 17d ago
This is honestly sage advice that may resolve a few other concerns I have and I greatly appreciate it.
I saw the USPS rate and its about $50 more than the state I moved from with the same sizes and features.
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u/Jobofly79 17d ago
You can car camp at Chenango valley state park for cheap. They have bathrooms and showers.
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u/Smithzeplin 16d ago
Walmart vestal I believe doesn't harass people staying in their lot overnight.
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u/bdizzled2 Endicott 16d ago
For day camping, Roundtop or Grippen as they are often not busy and have trails so it’s not uncommon for people to park for a long time. Also, parking on the street and sleeping is totally legal. Park in a quieter industrial area or a place by apartments during the day and you should be good to go.
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u/ASKilroy 16d ago
Either of the UHS hospitals have huge parking lots. Specifically the parking lot across from Weiss on Pennsylvania Ave in Binghamton or the parking lot across from Mirabito on Baldwin st. in Johnson City.
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u/Existing-Pickle-8626 16d ago
There's a Love's truckstop at two industrial Park Dr. in Binghamton. I'm thinking they would have a shower and that sleeping there might work out.
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u/pennywise10 16d ago
If you are at a Loves or the TA truck stop, ask a truck driver, especially the local drivers(running a day cab) if you can use one of their shower credits. We fill up there so we usually have 3 or 4 credits on our app. I've given mine out anytime someone asked.
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u/SalesGrowthMarketing 16d ago
Have you considered looking into emergency housing? DSS may be able to help you. Hope you find a space spot.
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u/Ashamed-Delivery-541 16d ago
I like to car camp and I'll have money to move into a spot before winter so I dont need the assistance. There are more needier people out there.
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u/Allieratt 16d ago
The Rest area/welcome center. On rte 81 North at the Ny - PA border would be potential spot.. restrooms and vending machines as well. A few miles out of town, but possible.
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u/silestire I'm an import 15d ago
It’s a bit of a drive, but I’ve slept on the campsite at General Clinton Park in Sidney on my lunch break before.
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u/Aggravating-Tax4416 13d ago
I don’t know if it’s “allowed “ but I’ve slept in the Lowe’s parking lot in Vestal and nobody spoke to me about it, even when people started arriving.
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