Dead-end streets, commonly known as cul-de-sacs, are pretty common in many of the developing housing societies in Pakistan, such as Bahria Town, Karachi, DHA, Lahore, Capital Smart City, Rawalpindi, and many more. Here, we’ll help you consider the pros and cons of living on a dead-end street so that you can make a better investment decision.
Living on a Dead-End Street—Is It the Right Choice?
Living on a cul-de-sac could be the right choice for you if you want better safety, security, and peace and quiet, but it also comes with a higher price tag, a certain amount of isolation, parking issues, and the risk of property damage. But first, let’s talk about what is a cul-de-sac?
A cul-de-sac literally means ‘bottom of the sack’ and, in real estate terms, defines a street which is closed for traffic at one end. Such streets usually also end in a rounded intersection, often surrounded by houses all around. Since there is only one route for entry and exit, all cars must turn around at the end of the street to exit the lane.
Let’s now talk about the advantages and disadvantages of living on a dead-end street.
Some Pros of Living on a Dead-End Street
Here are some of the top benefits of living on a cul-de-sac:
- Peaceful Setting
- Less Traffic
- Better Security
- Ideal for Families
- Community Living
We’ll now discuss these pros of living on a dead-end street to help you ensure that these pros are sufficient to meet your requirements.
Peaceful Setting
Cul-de-sacs often represent the ultimate suburban bliss—a quiet and peaceful commune of houses that have their dedicated entryway. If you buy a house on such a street, guess what? You’ll see fewer cars passing by your place, resulting in a quieter neighbourhood. The reason is that you live on a dead-end street, so unless someone is visiting you or one of your neighbour’s, or is hopelessly lost, they won’t be turning into your lane and using it as a route for their daily commute.
Less Traffic
Lesser traffic, lesser pollution, lesser noise, and a more peaceful lifestyle overall—that’s what you get with investing in a property on a dead-end street. The setting is also perfect for all those light sleepers who wake up to the sounds of blaring horns every morning while living on a busy main road.
Better Security
If you want to ensure better safety and security for your family and property, buying a home on a dead-end street might be ideal for you. You know why? Because as mentioned above, the lane is not a regular thoroughfare for many. Thus, you can keep a better eye on any strangers passing by your place, and since there’s only one entry/exit point, catching burglars or intruders on camera or in person is easier, too.
Ideal for Families
If you have kids who love to play on the streets, cul-de-sacs are relatively safer than other roads because of the lack of traffic, making them perfect dwellings for families. It also makes your street a lot safer for your pets, if you like to walk your dog or have a cat that likes to roam the neighbourhood at night.
Community Living
Homes are generally set close together and face one another on a cul-de-sac, with one only entry into the lane. This makes the entire street into one small community, which can discuss security concerns, have neighbourhood parties, or even let their kids play on the street without fear. Dead-end streets are ideal if you want to experience living in a community with amazing neighbours. Moreover, with homes being set so close together and it being so easy to spot strangers in the area, homeowners on cul-de-sacs often look out for one another in case of suspicious activity when one of the owners is away on vacation.
The Cons of Living on a Dead-End Street
Before you get too hyped with the pros, here are some drawbacks of living on a cul-de-sac:
- Feeling Isolated
- Higher Property Prices
- Intrusive Neighbours
- Parking Issues
- Risk of Property Damage
We’ve elaborated on these cons of living on a dead-end street below.
Feeling Isolated
Dead-end streets can become pretty neighbourly once populated, but if you decide to move in before any of your neighbours, you’re in for a pretty isolated lifestyle, since no traffic will pass through the street and you might not get to see many pedestrians either. Cul-de-sacs are also not the right fit for those who love people watching as the peace and quiet just might become too much to bear.
Higher Property Prices
Retirees and other people who crave a peaceful ambience often prefer cul-de-sacs, and housing communities often charge higher for the community-based lifestyle such properties offer. Moreover, as is often mentioned in payment plans for developing communities, corner plots cost more than the average plot, primarily because it might offer additional land to the owner. Thus, you’ll be investing more if you choose any corner plots on a dead-end street.
Intrusive Neighbours
All’s well and good if you love your neighbours, but if you love your privacy, you might find the communal feel and the closely set houses intruding on your privacy. There’s very little that you can hide from the neighbours if you see them daily, across the street, and not every neighbour might be equally respectful of your need for personal space and privacy.
Parking Issues
Since you’ll need to leave some space empty for those stray cars who’ve turned into your lane by mistake and now need to make a sharp U-turn to get out, you’ll have very little space left for extra parking. So, while you can easily park your car in your garage or the driveway, hosting a party can be challenging, as your guests will have to park at a distance and walk the length of your lane to reach your home.
Risk of Property Damage
Living on a dead-end street might be perfect for families, but that also means that all of the houses are at a higher risk of property damage when the kids play in the street, especially if they’re hitting sixers during street cricket matches. The games will also be accompanied by loud cheers, which may disturb light sleepers who crave peace and quiet.
Now you know all of the pros and cons of living on a dead-end street, so make a smarter decision when buying a new home in Pakistan. Stay tuned to Zameen Blog for more property investment tips and advice, such as the best questions to ask before buying a home and a comprehensive home inspection checklist for buyers. You can reach us with your queries and suggestions at blog@zameen.com.
