I like the idea of settlements (which needs a lot of work), but I hate that Besthesda had to sacrifice so much to make something that's mediocre. There are far fewer side quests than any Elderscrolls or Fallout game in recent memory, a smaller physical map area, and what I'd like to introduce as less personal space. What we see in Fallout 4 is only one home for the sole-survivor to own and that's in diamond city. While I knew there would be customizable settlements before the game's release, I was really looking forward to areas where only I or my companions could go. With the settlement system, it's difficult to make a space for yourself that settlers won't randomly walk in to sit down on your couch or personal bar.
What I was hoping for was for a few of the larger settlements—such as the Castle—with load screens to a separate room that could not be penetrated by NPCs. For me, this ruins the experience of immersion of not having a space that the NPC's know is 'mine.' So instead the settlements feel like a huge public domain and the idea of private property is almost completely taken out (besides the home in Diamond City—called home plate). What also stinks is that I can't have my companions wait at home plate, either! I was looking to keep some companions there as I was doing their quests and didn't want to lose them in a settlement or have them glitch out. How do you all feel about the lack of personal space? I just feel like the settlements were haphazardly placed into the game but someone still took enough time away from the rest of the development of the game from what the players are used to. I think it's nice to add in something to a game, but when it sacrifices apparatuses that the players are used to and expect to have in the game when they buy it, it feels like the developers are robbing players the ability to create their personal narrative, ultimately demystifying the game.

Several settlements have no npcs and if you don't put up a beacon you have a personal space.

That is an impressive wall of text..

I use red rocket and am all alone, except a companion every now and then, but usually send them to sanctuary..I don't have problems losing companions..but anyway, no settlers have came since I've been there..but I get what you mean, it would be nice to just like put up a flag somewhere and say this is my spot, everyone else stay out..

There is more than one. Although I doubt you'd be able to get them all at the same time due to faction clashes.

I think there may be something about that Red Rocket truck stop because I keep getting tons of settlers. At one point I had 25. That's more than twice my other settlements and they are much bigger. It seems if I try to make a settlement large it never grows, but when I just threw up a quick prefab building and a couple beds and two stalks of corn, the place was flooded with people. It also keeps getting attacked by everyone. Mutants, Raiders, Gunners.

I'm not sure but I thought the beacon brings settlers? IDK..I have no food or water there..just a wall of turrets surrounding it, and my shack..
Maybe it's random..cuz I keep getting the sunshine, something, settlement attacked and have like 15 ppl there, and I don't think I've been there since that Preston guy had me put up a beacon..

There are fewer side quests than Fallout 3? Yeah, I don't think so.

http://fallout.wikia.com/wiki/Fallout_3_quests

http://fallout.wikia.com/wiki/Fallout_4_quests

There are a few settlements with personal space areas that other NPCs can't get to. Is that what you're asking for?

spectacle island, once you've cleaned it out you have the entire island to yourself.

Use the Root Cellar at Sanctuary. You develop the community for the settlers and still have a place to call your own. Plus, you don't take RadStorm damage there.

I tried Red Rocket for a while, never built a beacon. Eventually someone showed up. Two someone's actually and they tanked the perfectly average happy rating. Was very tempted to kill them and dump them in the molerat cave.