A cul-de-sac is, technically, a dead-end street, and yet cul-de-sac communities are rarely sleepy or lifeless.

The origin of the term "cul-de-sac" dates back to 1700s-era France. Its English translation is "bottom of a sack," and the French used the term to refer to certain anatomical features. According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, it wasn't adopted as a way to describe a street with no outlet until 1819.

For NPR, John Nielsen hosted a Morning Edition show about the evolution of cul-de-sacs in the United States. In "Cul-de-Sacs: Suburban Dream or Dead End?," he explained, "Some of the earliest American cul-de-sac communities were built in Radburn, N.J., in the 1920s. By the mid-1950s, they were everywhere. Developers learned that cul-de-sacs allowed them to fit more houses into oddly shaped tracts, and to build right up to the edges of rivers and property lines."

Cul-de-sac critics say that these planned communities have contributed to suburban sprawl and that they place stock in driving as a means of transportation, rather than walkability or public modes, but access to sidewalks leading into areas of commerce and green spaces, and whether or not a public bus or train stop is nearby is entirely dependent on the neighborhood.

Two of the perks of living on a cul-de-sac is quiet and minimal traffic. Other than occasional visits from guests, traffic on the cul-de-sac is typically limited to those who live on it. That mitigates noise and creates a potentially safer environment for children to play and ride bikes.

In cul-de-sac communities, residents often report a comfort in knowing the neighbors and knowing that when their children play together in the immediate neighborhood, they are in familiar homes and yards, among friends.

Perhaps there is a heightened sense of community because of the way houses on a cul-de-sac turn inward toward another, face each other, as if having a conversation. They may each enjoy very private backyard settings, but their front yards are connected, visually and contextually. Whether neighbors are tight-knit and social or mostly keep to themselves, there is an easy perception that "this is our street; this is our neighborhood."

Not every buyer will appreciate a cul-de-sac setting. But for those looking for a single-family home with a built-in community, a cul-de-sac setting may be just the spot. Welcome Home took stock in the market and found a couple of noteworthy homes on cul-de-sacs that are currently for sale.

First, there's a model of a model home in the North Pond community of Colchester. Situated on 2.41 acres on a cul-de-sac at 15 Weston Terrace, the 2022-built house has 2,926 square feet of living space, four bedrooms, three baths and an attached two-car garage. It has a charming front porch, hardwood floors, a sleek center-island kitchen, a cathedral ceiling great room, and a decadent primary suite bath.

Broker Judy Latham and Stormi Alden of Results Real Estate LLC are the listing agents for the property. They're planning a public open house this Saturday, March 26, from 10 a.m. to noon.

"This development is a unique property overall," Latham wrote in an email to Welcome Home. "When completed, North Pond will consist of only 37 homes on [approximately] 152 acres surrounding a scenic 16-acre pond."

15 Weston Terrace is one of just three houses on the cul-de-sac just off North Pond Way. Latham noted that there are sidewalks throughout the community and that it's a quiet setting, but still affords a quick two-minute trip to local shops, schools, restaurants and community routes.

Residents of the North Pond community have the added perk of shared green space, with hiking trails and North Pond, where residents go fishing and kayaking.

Barbara Myslinki-Krucko, a real estate agent with William Raveis Real Estate, knows firsthand the spirit of cul-de-sac life. She lives on one and said that the circle represents harmony and good energy. Welcome Home reached out to the Realtor to learn more about another cul-de-sac home she knows a lot about — the currently listed 10 London Court in Old Saybrook. She's the listing agent for the seller, who is asking $649,000 for the four-bedroom contemporary split-level with an attached two-car garage. The house, which has a must-see sunroom, is situated on a level and landscaped 1-acre lot, with a patio and above-ground pool. Ownership of this home also comes with deeded beach rights to Cornfield Point Beach.