How hard is it really to park in downtown Portland?

On a recent Friday evening, I did something that, for a lot of longtime Portland residents, would be unthinkable.

Right around dinnertime, I drove straight into the Old Port, headed for Exchange Street, hoping to find a place to park.

I’ve heard a lot of complaining this summer about how difficult it is to park downtown, but I haven’t noticed it’s gotten any worse than it has already been for years. Maybe it’s because I have lower expectations about being able to find a spot quickly or close to my destination. Maybe it’s because I avoid going into town when it’s busiest. Maybe it’s because I aim for the outskirts and side streets first, accepting a longer walk upfront in favor of a shorter search.

Determined to figure out whether the whining is overblown or I’ve just had good luck, I’ve