Front garage vs back garage (Grapevine, Howe: house, water heater, gated)

[stan4]

Originally Posted by Road_biker

Does that mean, as the price goes up, the garage should be in back? Nowadays I see front garages everywhere, even if the prices are > 500. For example Lexington Country in Frisco too has front and a better home starts around 550. I am considering that community too. Not sure which way I will go though.

The more expensive homes here in my part of town have the swing garage. Meaning you cannot see the garage from the street when you look at the house head on, but the driveway is still there. And most also have a separate circular driveway.

I think that goes a long way to combine the aesthetics of a back alley garage with the convenience and safety of a front entry garage.

I hate alley garages/parking. For a variety of reasons, including they are just depressing to pull into (vs the smile you get when your home comes into view and you pull in).

[MurphyPl1]

Rear entry can look better since you don't have to see into everyone's garage as you drive down the street. Howver there are several negatives. Its far easier to break into garage, cars, sheds and back entries due to limited traffic and low visibility. Additionally you don't really eliminate parking on the street. Driveways tend to be shorter and if you have multiple cars then its easier to park the others out front. You also have the issue of no one coming in and out the front. Less opportunity to meet your neighbors. And on some of the blocks in our old neighborhood it led to the fronts not being kept up. Because the only time you are out front is to get the mail. We saw overgrown and dear bushes. Piles of newspapers and yellow pages. And piles of leaves by the porch where the wind had dumped them months before.

We now live in a side entry in a neighborhood with mostly three car garages. 2 enter on the side of the house and the one faces the street. However she to the split configuration the one car sits much further back from the street and isn't so visible to those driving by.

Nearly all of the homes built in Murphy since 2002 or so are side entry. One of the things I like about our city.

[stephwin]

Originally Posted by Road_biker

Does that mean, as the price goes up, the garage should be in back? Nowadays I see front garages everywhere, even if the prices are > 500. For example Lexington Country in Frisco too has front and a better home starts around 550. I am considering that community too. Not sure which way I will go though.

We were house hunting back in 2009 in the $350k price range and the vast majority of houses had rear-entry garages. I'm not sure if trends have changed, but I also see that most new houses have garages in the front. It could also be because they are typically on smaller lots now and if someone wants a pool, having a garage in the back takes up even more yard space.

But my comment on the price point was that even nice neighborhoods can look cluttered and somewhat...ugly, I guess, when there are tons of cars on the street and driveway.

[fwsavemoney]

I prefer rear entry garages for the reasons mentioned in the earlier posts. Also, many people like to work in their garages with their garage door open, especially when it is hot outside. Rear entry garages give you more privacy and the clutter while working does not spoil the look of the neighborhood.

[stephwin]

Like someone else mentioned, go for a 2.5 or 3 car garage. That would be my main concern as opposed to the actual location of the garage.

[gocubs418]

3 car garage here... Wasn't a major feature I was looking for, will be going forward. Makes a huge difference.

[Road_biker]

Appreciate that 3 car garage feedback.

[esk1]

Originally Posted by fwsavemoney

I prefer rear entry garages for the reasons mentioned in the earlier posts. Also, many people like to work in their garages with their garage door open, especially when it is hot outside. Rear entry garages give you more privacy and the clutter while working does not spoil the look of the neighborhood.

My favorite thing about rear garages is having a gate and being able to leave the garage open while i do various tasks throughout the house and outside and not have to worry about someone having access to my garage while having quick access to my tools. Plus with a gate you don't "lose" the backyard space if you don't mind having cement play area.

[stan4]

Originally Posted by esk1

My favorite thing about rear garages is having a gate and being able to leave the garage open while i do various tasks throughout the house and outside and not have to worry about someone having access to my garage while having quick access to my tools. Plus with a gate you don't "lose" the backyard space if you don't mind having cement play area.

I have a gate across my swing entry.
Many people here do. And my view is pretty. Not large wood fences, trash cans, and other people's garages.

[rok8man]

I like the front garage personally. On my street 90 percent of the people park in their garages. In our community we have both front and rear garages and one street you can see both. I dont like the back garage as the alleyway is not lit, very narrow, two cars cant pass each other. To me its a safety risk. My house sits a little back on the lot so you can park four cars in the driveway easily if you have a party. Yes you do see the garbage cans once a week but they are mostly put back after trash pickup on that very day.