With individual meters you can usually find a spot between two meters, or on the border of a fire hydrant zone, where other cars cover all the meters and you ge

With individual meters you can usually find a spot between two meters, or on the border of a fire hydrant zone, where other cars cover all the meters and you get a free spot. The nebulous sphere of influence of the per-block meters compels you to pay no matter where on the block you park (even if it isn't clear what spot you're in).