Why do most people build their houses close to each other rather than in isolated locations?

Question

Why do most people build their houses close to each other rather than in isolated locations?

Answer 1

Well, interesting.

As different animals love to live in herds, so are we the Social Animal, therefore we like to be close to each other.

Answer 2

It is a question I would love to ask the people building next to me! It's all about real estate and profit and cramming a certain about of people within a given amount of space and within a 'desirable area' (one with jobs, and schools nearby). Getting the maximum living space on a piece of land means more money/profit, but it also means building closer to the land boundaries. In some countries the homes are built directly on the boundaries, some very close to the road ways...very disturbing. Some gov'ts pass laws that indicates you are not allowed to build within a certain distance from the roads.

Answer 3

Partly because people are gregarious but also so that services : roads, water, electricity, gas, and waste pipes are cheaper to install because they are shorter in length.

Another reason is that there is a very finite area of land available.

Answer 4

Historically, people have always benefited from living close to others.  As technology allows us to become more independent, live farther from work, etc, our physical / material need for living near other people has diminished, however our social need for living near others hasn't and probably never will.