Once you've started your home-buying journey, one term you might have come across during your home search is the type of street called “cul-de-sac.” If you didn’t know about this phrase before, one thing to note is that there are benefits as well as drawbacks to owning property on this type of street.
Some buyers and homeowners may appreciate the attributes of a cul-de-sac, while others may find them frustrating.
Let’s take a deeper look at some of the pros and cons of living on a cul-de-sac, which, in many circumstances, could highly depend on your point of view.
What is a “cul-de-sac”?
A cul-de-sac, which in French literally means “bottom of the sack,” is basically a dead-end street with a rounded end. Since there's no thoroughfare, cars must drive around the circular end of the street to exit.
The benefits: One of the major reasons people like living on a cul-de-sac is because there's less traffic on this type of street.
The drawbacks: The bad side of not being a through road? It might not be easily accessible in an emergency and for other services.
The benefits: With fewer cars and less traffic, a cul-de-sac is a naturally safe place for families with children.
The drawbacks: For buyers who don't have children and are looking for a house where they can enjoy peace, a cul-de-sac may already be off the list.
The benefits: Since houses on a cul-de-sac often face each other in a semi-circle or in closer proximity to one another, this allows for enhanced relationships among residents.
The drawbacks: They say the only thing that will make you dislike living on a cul-de-sac is if you really hate your neighbors, which is quite true.