In early 2024, Jada Stratman, a 25-year-old entrepreneur, was on the hunt for retail space for her candle business, Brite Candle Co. During her search, she discovered Culdesac, the first car-free neighborhood built from scratch in the U.S. Culdesac, located in Tempe, Arizona, emphasizes biking, walking, and public transit over car usage, offering residents discounts on transportation services like Waymo, a self-driving taxi. The community, which currently houses 180 residents with plans to expand to over 1,000, provides a variety of amenities including a pool, gym, rental cars, light rails, and a free e-bike for each resident. The apartments range from studios to three-bedroom units, with rental prices starting around $1,400 per month. Stratman moved into a live-work space within Culdesac in February, paying $1,472 monthly plus $140 for utilities and Internet. This space features a walk-in closet, a washer, and a dryer, and seamlessly combines her retail shop at the front with her living quarters at the back.

Living in Culdesac has been a transformative experience for Stratman, pushing her out of her comfort zone and reducing her dependency on her car, which she now parks off-site as required. She finds the community’s car-free concept liberating, as it promotes a more active and social lifestyle. Stratman appreciates the integration of her work and living spaces, which has been particularly beneficial for her small business. The setup has not only saved her money but also fostered the growth of her candle business. Despite initial discomfort with having customers in her personal space, Stratman has grown to enjoy the interaction and is excited about her business’s potential expansion. The friendly and connected environment of Culdesac has significantly enriched her life, making her feel more extroverted and content in her new community.