The front of the house is normally symmetric, with a simple triangular roof sloping down to both sides and a porch in front. The yards are often small, narrow and larger in back. The combination of the porch and shorter front yard, especially in a neighborhoods with many Craftsman style homes that tend to have sidewalks feel very neighborhood friendly. These characteristics encourage neighbors to walk and to sit out facing the pedestrian traffic, stopping to talk or catch-up on the neighborhood news.