Where do you play?

[Laurel]

My first thought was a library or university center, but enough people have mentioned these.
Another is a park, but one with tables or a concrete slab with a roof over it. That way if there is just a little rain you can still play.
I am not sure, but youth centers could be a good place to check.
Some food places may let you use space so long as you game in down time and get some food drinks while you are there, but this is more restricted and possible distractions.

Your best bet maybe to start finding your group first then see what connections they have ::Shrug:: Sorry, not much help. :\

 

[Kae'Yoss]

If you go for an outside game, beware of the wind. We often played outside in the summer, and the occasional character met his fate due to a gust of wind (not the spell...)

I don't have any other ideas. Check universities and schools for rooms, or maybe municipal buildings you can hire for parties.

 

[mjkmarker]

Thanks for the great advice everyone! I'll follow up on the tips. More suggestions are always welcome. Thanks again.

 

[Chimera]

Hey all I'm in the process of forming a new group, and I'm a bit wary of inviting strangers to my home, and I don't really live in a gaming friendly neighborhood. My senior citizen neighbors have called the cops about unfamiliar vehicles on the block, and pesky neighborhood kids have been known to peek into the windows to get a look at the strange going-ons.

Sounds to me like YOU should be the one calling the police.

Your neighbors calling the police over unfamiliar cars on the street? Yeah, so? It's not only not a crime, but it could be considered harassment if they are continually pestering your guests in this manner. And there is certainly a law against peeking in people's windows.

If necessary, let the old folks know you're having people over. After a few sessions, they'll know who's cars are whose, and probably won't bother you again. Let the parents know you're having a private party and they need to keep their kids out of your yard. You don't have to tell them ANYTHING about this "party" or the people you're having over. It's a private matter and it's none of their business.

If the police show up asking about the cars, calmly and plainly identify the cars belonging to your guests, then suggest to the officer that you and your guests are being harassed and would like to be able gather in peace without the police being called every time you have friends over. The police are likely to be very understanding.

If the kids gather, tell them to take a hike. The next day, go have a talk with their parents and tell them to keep their kids out of your yard when you are having friends over. If they have a problem with that, tell them that you came to them first, but if they won't respect your privacy, the next time you will call the police and report their kids for trespassing.

Stop being a doormat. It doesn't require you to be mean, to be offensive or start a neighborhood fight. It just requires you to stand up for yourself and say "look, I'd like to be able to have people over without it being a neighborhood disturbance".

 

[megamania]

Places I have played include-

my house
friend's house
stranger's house (with permission)
work place eatting room
town hall
church meeting hall (and it was CoC...I will burn for that no doubt )
town park
state campground
bank meeting room (no more- we are a "securty risk" :\ )
and of course- schools and conventions.

For ideas for you-

Without knowing ages, have you tried the local community center? Game shop? Boys / Girls center?

If you are close to a larger High school or college, you may be able to arrange a room there also with set times and rules.

Don't give up.

 

[RichCsigs]

I think I may have one of the most unique places for playing.
Through the various changes in life, the players in my gaming group are spread throughout most of the south western part of the state. No matter where we played, someone(s) often ended up having to drive an hour to get to the game.
We eventually found out that someone had bought the abandoned factories downtown in my city and converted them into office spaces & studios for artists. We looked into it and found out the spaces were cheap (there's no plumbing in the spaces, just public restrooms). We all chip in to rent the place ($20 a month for each person, 9 guys in the group) and it works out great! The place is central to everyone (the farthest away is a half hour now), and the best is we all leave our stuff there! No more forgetting things! It's a small space (it gets cramped if everyone shows up) but it works. This could be something to look into?

 

[Tewligan]

I'm glad Chimera posted - it saved me from saying pretty much the same thing. Who the hell cares what your neighbors think? It's a public street, people can park where they please, and you don't have to answer to anyone regarding your guests. Don't be bullied out of gaming in your own home because your neighbors are jerks.

 

[mjkmarker]

My neighbors are just overly cautious from a previous incident that I won't go into (maybe in the story hour!), but for the most part, things have been resolved with them, dealing with the kids can be a pain but I have talked to the parents about them, some help some don't. All the distractions and hassle is just not the impression I want to make with a new group. In the end it's just a bunch of little things that add up, and can be resolved by trying a new place to game, at least for the first few sessions. I appreciate the advice though.

 

[viscounteric]

i've done the local library in a conference room. at the park, at the beach, under the bleachers, behind the dumpster, in class, .....

where ever, whenever i can...

diaglo, you little gaming slut Can't get enough, eh?

We play in my basement (aahh....I can feel the coolness now). After the first week or so, my neighbors EXPECTED 4-5 cars parked on the street. We've woken up the baby next door twice in the three years we've gamed, and that was when we were outside walking to the cars.

Let your neighbors call the police over strange cars, and follow the advice others have given. Unless you're 'unusual' to the old folks (weird hair, tattoos, plays polka death metal at odd hours of the night), if they truly have a problem, they'll come to your door and talk to you.

oh yeah, bear traps under the windows deter snooping

 

[mjkmarker]

Everything but the polka music applies
While I appreciate the suggestions and the whole "freedom to game" spirit, I didn't want this to turn into a column on how to deal with my neighbors (perhaps another thread?) I think I made that seem like a bigger problem than it actually is.

I just wanted to get advice on alternative gaming spaces, so that I could gather together a group of complete strangers and not have to worry about the potential hassles sharing land with other people can entail. Whatever that may be. Any more pertinent advice is welcome. Thanks.