I usually ride in my neighborhood (which is also just about what you described) and I think it's why my average pace is stuck at around 14.33mph. Too many 4 way stops, crazy drivers & kiddies everywhere. I wonder where their mom's are sometimes! They're really little & just come flying out of their driveways into the street on bikes, skateboards, etc.
There was one in the neighborhood last week who was running his bike into his golden retriever and laughing his little brat head off. I told him to stop -- he could really hurt the dog!