How is a Pocket Neighborhood different than a regular neighborhood?
A pocket neighborhood isn’t a large expanse of streets and hundreds of households. It’s something more personal—a small cluster of a dozen or so homes that share a central open space like a garden, a quiet lane, or a pedestrian alley. Think of it as a neighborhood within a neighborhood.
The larger neighborhood is recognized by its landmarks and character, like “the house with a wrap-around porch at the end of Bella Street.” You may know a few folks by name, but rarely the dozens—or hundreds—living nearby. Streets are public, yards are private, but semi-private spaces are rare.
In a pocket neighborhood, the shared space becomes the heart of the community. Neighbors know one another by name—“Tom and Melissa live across the way.” They’re the ones to call in an emergency or invite over for takeout on the porch. There’s a shared sense of care and stewardship, making the neighborhood feel both safe and connected.
Why is shared outdoor space so important?
The shared outdoor space is what holds a pocket neighborhood together. It gives nearby neighbors a sense of common ground—both literally and socially.
This space has clearly defined boundaries, from the street entry to the edge of private yards. That sense of definition gives residents a feeling of safety and ownership. A child’s parent might feel comfortable letting them explore beyond the front door, while a passerby is likely to be greeted with a friendly “Can I help you?”
Casual interactions—waves, porch chats, tending the garden together—become the building blocks for trust and genuine relationships. Over time, this shared space supports a meaningful sense of community.
Community sounds good, but does it come at the expense of privacy?
Not at all. Privacy is essential to a healthy sense of community, and pocket neighborhoods are designed with that in mind.
A classic pocket neighborhood uses layers of personal space: a low garden fence, a private front yard, a covered porch, and finally, the home’s interior. Inside, the more active spaces face the commons, while private areas are tucked away or above.
To ensure privacy between neighbors, the cottages nest together: the ‘open’ side of one house faces the ‘closed’ side of the next. You could say the houses are spooning! The open side has large windows facing its side yard (which extends to the face of neighboring house), while the closed side has high windows and skylights. The result is that neighbors do not peer into one another’s world.
Do Pocket Neighborhoods only have cottage-style homes?
No! Pocket neighborhoods come in many styles—Craftsman Cottage, Contemporary, Spanish Mission, Modern, Modular, and more. Homes can be detached houses, attached townhomes, or even small apartment clusters.
What makes a pocket neighborhood isn’t the style—it’s the design pattern: a small number of dwellings gathered around a shared, cared-for commons.
What are the design principles that make pocket neighborhoods work?
Here are a few of the key principles:
• A limited number of homes (usually 8–12) arranged around a shared commons.
• If there are more homes, separate clusters are created, connected by walkways.
• Homes face the commons, with porches or active spaces that invite connection.
• Cars are kept to the edges, preserving the pedestrian-friendly feel.
• Public-to-private layering provides both openness and retreat.
• Windows and layouts are carefully placed to protect privacy.
Want more details? Explore this website. And read the Pocket Neighborhoods book. It’s packed with design ideas and inspiring examples.
In some pocket neighborhoods, residents park their car away from their homes. Why do this? What about bad weather?
This simple design move of walking through the commons to your front door boosts connection—neighbors see each other more, and casual chats happen naturally.
Even in colder or rainy climates, many residents see this as a fair trade for stronger community ties. That said, some people prefer attached garages accessed off a rear lane—and those neighborhoods can still be “pocket” in spirit, though with fewer spontaneous encounters.
Who chooses to live in a pocket neighborhood?
All kinds of people! Singles, couples, young families, empty nesters, retirees. Across generations—Millennials to Boomers to the Great Generation—pocket neighborhoods appeal to those who want connection close to home.
Of course, they’re not for everyone. Those who prefer solitude or more separation from neighbors have plenty of conventional options. But for people craving a sense of belonging, these neighborhoods offer something uniquely valuable.
Why are pocket neighborhoods so good for children?
Children naturally crave more freedom as they grow—but in conventional neighborhoods, traffic and safety concerns often keep them confined.
Pocket neighborhoods offer a protected environment where children can explore beyond the front door, engage in unplanned play, and interact with other kids and caring adults. This fosters independence, confidence, and strong social skills—all within a community that’s looking out for them.
Why are pocket neighborhoods important right now?
In today’s world, many people feel isolated. Families are scattered, neighbors barely wave, and simple support can be hard to find.
Pocket neighborhoods help rebuild the web of everyday connection—a place where someone notices if you’re having a rough day, lends a hand with groceries, or admires your new flower bed. These small acts create resilient, caring communities that enrich everyday life.
Are pocket neighborhoods meant to be affordable housing?
They can be, but they aren’t limited to any one income level. Pocket neighborhoods work just as well in modest communities as they do in more affluent ones—it all comes down to how they’re planned and built.
Is zoning an issue for pocket neighborhoods?
It can be. Many zoning codes favor detached, single-family homes on large lots with street frontage. That can make it hard to introduce more compact, community-oriented housing types.
However, forward-thinking cities and planners are beginning to embrace pocket neighborhoods as a way to increase housing options, reduce sprawl, and preserve neighborhood character. Check out the Codes for Courtyards section of this website for more details.
| GOOD WORDS |
