I loved my two weeks in San Miguel Chapultepec neighborhood in CDMX, and (at a different time) a month in Turrialba, Costa Rica - frequent little shops and cafes amid and between housing. Some purpose-built mixed-use (ground floor retail, etc.), some small commercial buildings, but other shops were just house fronts converted to retail. It worked nicely. And I could walk! (Or take a quick taxi/uber, or a bus - and then walk.)
I loved my two weeks in San Miguel Chapultepec neighborhood in CDMX, and (at a different time) a month in Turrialba, Costa Rica - frequent little shops and cafes amid and between housing. Some purpose-built mixed-use (ground floor retail, etc.), some small commercial buildings, but other shops were just house fronts converted to retail. It worked nicely. And I could walk! (Or take a quick taxi/uber, or a bus - and then walk.)
There's a cute, single car detached garage in my neighborhood that would be perfect as a café... I daydream about grabbing a coffee and pastry there as I walk my son to school!
Get in touch with your local YIMBY or pro-housing org, most are planning strategies for changing the rules to allow these types of uses
Reach out to your local public officials as well to change local zoning laws to allow these conversions by right
Your dream can become a reality