What's up with the garages in the back? (Mesquite, Keller: living in, fence)

[skids929]

When it comes to where it puts the parked cars it's really 6 of 1 half dozen of the other IMO. Putting a street through my backyard (and therefore reducing it's size) makes zero sense to me. It's the part of the property people use most. I can't imagine sitting in my yard hearing trash trucks, cars, gates, garage doors etc. And I would fear safety with my kids too.

It may increase the curb appeal factor of the neighborhood, but I think it reduces the lifestyle factor a bit-for me anwway. If it's a 50 lot, front garages are terrible aesthetic-wise and function-wise, since the driveways are usually tiny and look cluttered with cars in them. For those I would take rear entry..But otherwise I dont see them as being an issue for larger lots. Swings seem to make the most sense to me overall and it pushes your neighbor away a bit and usually requires a larger lot.

[TheOverdog]

Putting a street through my backyard (and therefore reducing it's size) makes zero sense to me. It's the part of the property people use most. I can't imagine sitting in my yard hearing trash trucks, cars, gates, garage doors etc. And I would fear safety with my kids too.

It's 2013. They make belt driven garage doors you can't even hear inside your own house, much less from your neighbors'. And I understand but disagree with the safety complaints. Backyards have fences, it's the front yards that don't. It's way more likely that some random kid is going to come walking through your front yard crossing your driveway than cross your backyard driveway. People drive faster down city streets than they do down alleys too. Most city streets have 30 mph speed limits. I've never seen anyone driving that fast down an alley.

[skids929]

Originally Posted by TheOverdog

It's 2013. They make belt driven garage doors you can't even hear inside your own house, much less from your neighbors'. And I understand but disagree with the safety complaints. Backyards have fences, it's the front yards that don't. It's way more likely that some random kid is going to come walking through your front yard crossing your driveway than cross your backyard driveway. People drive faster down city streets than they do down alleys too. Most city streets have 30 mph speed limits. I've never seen anyone driving that fast down an alley.

City streets are much wider than alleys. Either way, I have NEVER seen an alley garage home that didn't have a teensey back yard. In the end we can debate everything I said all day long, with the exception of that fact.

[Pama]

Accidents can happen in both settings. In my previous neighborhood there were three incidents during my 5 year stay where drivers entered in backyard. Fence is not much of a barrier. Two of the drivers were teens and one was DUI.

[DaveG99]

alleys are a waste of perfectly good space. And people still park in front of the houses anyway.

[Souleiado]

Originally Posted by DaveG99

alleys are a waste of perfectly good space. And people still park in front of the houses anyway.

Not really , alleys are nicer to put more space between neighbors and it does stop war fence that happens when you share one , it is also far more practical when owning a pool . With the average yard space in the metroplex , it would be hard to build any pool without back alleys.

[ETex2]

Originally Posted by skids929

City streets are much wider than alleys. Either way, I have NEVER seen an alley garage home that didn't have a teensey back yard. In the end we can debate everything I said all day long, with the exception of that fact.

Wow, you must not have seen too many homes in your life then. I've lived in 3 homes with good sized back yards, rear entry all with a pool, plus plenty of room left over. True there are lots of 60'x110' lots around, but larger lots are pretty common. My current house is 90'x110'. All homes in the neighborhood are similar - 20 years old, home values $160K-$250K, in Rowlett. Last home was similar but 15 years older, in Garland.

[Pama]

Originally Posted by Souleiado

Not really , alleys are nicer to put more space between neighbors and it does stop war fence that happens when you share one , it is also far more practical when owning a pool . With the average yard space in the metroplex , it would be hard to build any pool without back alleys.

I almost always parked on street when I had rear garage, only at night I parked inside. What is the relation between pool and alley?

[mSooner]

For the first time in my life I am living in a home with alleys. I actually prefer it, though I am surprised I am. I will say that it is harder to see and meet neighbors. However, that isn't necessarily a bad thing...

[Jasmine0]

Front garages are good for meeting neighbors, alleys are good for hiding trash cans.