Buying a house close to a main road, thoughts?

[money2009]

My sister and her husband purchased a home next to a busy street. Prior to moving into the home they were very vocal about how the road noise wouldn't bother them.

Three years later they moved and now they claim they would never do that again. Just some food for though.

[ithaca]

I live directly on a major road, but our house does not face the road. My house and driveway both face the side street. The major road is 5 lanes, the speed limit is 30 mph, our house is 200 feet away from the road, and we have a wooden fence and some trees as a buffer to the road. I knew exactly what I was getting myself into before I bought the house, and my house costs approx. 20% less than the other houses down the street.

We've lived here almost 5 years and have really liked it. While in the house, you can't even hear a peep from the major road. Obviously a loud motorcycle or semi can be heard throughout the entire neighborhood. I am really glad that our driveway faces our side street because that just makes it a lot easier on us. When our dog gets loose, she runs away from the major road and towards the neighborhood (thankfully). We don't have any kids yet but I don't think we'll be raising them this close to a major road. As they are learning to ride a bike or playing with other kids, I would be constantly worried about them ending up in traffic. When I was trying to decide whether or not to buy the house, I knew that my future potential buyers would not include families with small children. That's part of the reason my house is worth less than the rest of the houses on the block. When I'm doing yardwork or sitting on my deck having a drink, there is a decent amount of traffic noise but I think I've learned to ignore it. When I go to my parents' house in a small town and sit out on their deck, I can't believe how quiet it is. The quiet is very nice.

Anyway, I tried to give you a full picture of how it works for me. We are planning to start a family soon so we'll also be looking to move soon. For as much as I like this house and have been fine living near traffic, I can guarantee we will not buy a house this close to a major road. Let me know if you have any specific questions!

[creditcardfree]

My back yard backs up to a main road. It's two lanes and 35 mph speed limit. There is a fence. Well, it's like this.

Main Road
Grass
Sidewalk
Grass
Fence
Back Yard
House
Front Yard/Driveway
Side Street

Pluses, close to main road...easy access, easy to locate house, bus stop (school and city) are close.

Minuses, some noise, need to shovel back sidewalk, need to mow yard beyond the fence.

I would buy another house close to a main road because I love the convenience...just depends on what you want. There is a buyer for every house. Keep yours in pristine condition and you won't have to worry about a buyer.

[disneysteve]

I didn't mention earlier that I live very close to the interstate, speed limit 55, typical driving speed 65-70. My backyard does not border the highway, but the houses down the street do. When we first moved here, there were trees between here and the road. Then they built a sound barrier wall which honestly doesn't do a whole lot more than the trees did.

We hear road sounds all day long. It has never been a problem. It is generally white noise to us.

[cschin4]

Personally, I like living closer to town. The house is all about location, location. If you really like the location and the convenience then that is what to think about. However, I wouldn't just assume that other houses would be built or that trees will grow, etc. It may never happen. Do you like the location and placement of the lot as is? If so, then it may be the thing for you.
As for noise, I like some noise. I couldn't stand living out in the country. I would feel very isolated. Not everyone wants to live in the woods.

[jeebuss31]

Hi everyone, I hope everyone is doing well! Sorry for the delay, but I took some pictures of what I was posting back in June.


1. Looking at the lot:

http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq89/dknymodel7/philips21.jpg

2. Standing on would be driveway with house to our back:

http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq89/dknymodel7/Philips018.jpg

3. Another view on driveway with house to our backs:

http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq89/dknymodel7/Philips020.jpg

-Pluses-
* Wood lot with Ravine
* Cul de Sac
* In between two homes that are $50k-$100k more
* Nice view of pond with Fountain

-Minuses-
* Able to see a main road.(2 lanes both direction at 35 MPH)
* Possible traffic noises until house across the street are complete
* No privacy by the light, people are able to see the house

What does everyone think? Am I just being too analytical? Are most of you turn off by being able to see a main rd and people able to view your house from distance? Or does the pluses outweigh the minuses?

[gamecock43]

I dont think you need to worry. Your not ON the main road...and these days every HOA community is built off main roads. I just went house hunting this weekend and our #2 fav house was ON the main road...cars rushing by when I stood on the balcony was a big deterrent. But although that was a concern of mine...it was not what made us decline the house. It ended up being that the location is in an undesirable area of town and though that house seemed to be in a fine line of houses...I was too leery of buying outside of preferred living areas. But enough about me...your fine. Grow some tall bushes to block out the view if you are that concerned.

[jeebuss31]

I dont think you need to worry. Your not ON the main road...and these days every HOA community is built off main roads. I just went house hunting this weekend and our #2 fav house was ON the main road...cars rushing by when I stood on the balcony was a big deterrent. But although that was a concern of mine...it was not what made us decline the house. It ended up being that the location is in an undesirable area of town and though that house seemed to be in a fine line of houses...I was too leery of buying outside of preferred living areas. But enough about me...your fine. Grow some tall bushes to block out the view if you are that concerned.

Thanks for your feedback. I agree it's not on a main rd, but it's fairly close.
And growing bushes will be the easiest way to solve the issue with privacy and maybe cut back on road noise(until new homes across the lot are built).
I would like to put evergreen trees over by the pond and hide the intersection. I wonder if HOA would be able to accomplish this. Has anyone worked with HOA on an issue? How likely are things resolved?

[creditcardfree]

As for noise, I think it will definitely diminish with homes. Our home currently backs to a main road, also 35 mph. I definitely noticed the noise at first, but you do grow accustom to it. We do get the ambulances and fire trucks roaring down occassionally, too.

Also, you have some beautiful trees in your backyard...I would think you would end up spending a lot of your time there rather than looking toward the traffic signals.

Looks like a great lot....I say go for it.