What's up with the garages in the back? (Dallas, Coppell: houses, neighborhoods)

[zirk95]

Sorry if it's a dumb question, but why do many homes have garages in the back? Being from Cali I'm not used to that and not sure if I like it. Pros? Cons?
Thanks!!!

[FarNorthDallas]

You might do a search on alleys. This subject comes up a lot. Here's one:
//www.city-data.com/forum/dalla...nderstand.html

[FalconheadWest]

It's a cleaner neighborhood look and doesn't say, "Welcome to my garage". You can actually get a nice looking house without viewing ugly garage doors.

[loves2read]

it also helps with home density and traffic congestion--since you don't have cars backing out (normally) into a busy street but coming out in an alley where flow of traffic would likely be restricted to only homeowners and thus would be less...

so technically you can argue for higher density of homes on same amount of land vs front driveway-homes--which might need larger lots and thus developers would have fewer homes...

it also keeps garbage cans off of the sidewalks (if there are any) and out of the streets --again aiding traffic flow and keeping appearance up...

[sandys0808]

I was just having this conversation with the planning and zoning dept officials in Frisco. They wanted to know what clients prefer, it really is a toss up. I have been in homes with garages in the front, back and now on the side of the house (we live on a corner). There are great pros and cons, my biggest pro is that it makes for a cleaner look on the front of the home, not as much congestion. The biggest con, you don't really see you neighbors as much..

[thumpcbd]

Originally Posted by sandys0808

The biggest con, you don't really see you neighbors as much..

I always though not seeing your neighbors is why folks moved out to the suburbs?

[loves2read]

the problem for me is that on houses with smaller lots where alleys are not in use--like here in the MidCities especially--officials will ask for rear or side entry garages and yet there is not enough room on the lot for a viable turning radius--especially with the larger cars/SUVs that so many people have...

because people can't readily enter the garages or get out--they just park on the slab--so while the garage doors might not be visible, the cars certainly are...

[pepper131]

Originally Posted by zirk95

Sorry if it's a dumb question, but why do many homes have garages in the back? Being from Cali I'm not used to that and not sure if I like it. Pros? Cons?
Thanks!!!

It's basically a suburb issue. You can see garages and access them from the street in Dallas neighborhoods.

[Rakin]

Originally Posted by sandys0808

The biggest con, you don't really see you neighbors as much..

I've lived in several homes (Coppell) with alley's and rear entry. You actually get to know your neighbors behind you better because they are coming & leaving by way of the alley. Kids play in the alleys and not in the street.

The biggest flaw IMO, is it eats into the backyard. There is about 10-15 feet that could be part of your backyard and a decent backyard is hard to find with newer homes.

Originally Posted by pepper131

It's basically a suburb issue. You can see garages and access them from the street in Dallas neighborhoods.

The older Dallas neighborhoods had mostly 1 story homes with much larger lots. The garage is a small piece of the old 1 story Ranch style home and does not overwhelm the front of the house.

Newer homes are 2 story usually, put those close together on small lots and from the front all you see is a big garage door with very little entry. Ever go to some of the new front entry communities ? When you look down the street it looks like nothing but a row of garage doors.

Rear, side or swing entry garages give a neighborhood a much cleaner look. Rear entry takes all the cars from the front and in most cases moves them to the rear.

[NCN]

We had always had garages on the side or in back until recently. I am wondering why anyone wants a garage in the front. A garage is ugly and when it is in the back you don't have to worry about keeping the door closed as when it is in front. So for the person who was asking which is preferred I would say to at least put it on the side, but the back is really best.

We have one community that we pass by that the only thing you can see about the houses is garages and the second story. Ugly, ugly, ugly! Gasoline alley! Yuk!