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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU not to want to buy a house on a busy road?

65 replies

2Earlgreysplease · 10/07/2018 07:33

We are torn over a lovely house which is very close to a busy road. My husband loves the house and thinks we will learn to live with the road by building sound proofing fences etc.
My gut is telling me we are making a bad decision, but I don't want us to decide against the house if I'm just being paranoid. Help!

OP posts:
PepperAndPops · 10/07/2018 07:35

Didn't you already post the same question last week?

Lotsofdigestives · 10/07/2018 07:36

How busy a road? All day and night? Motorway?

DwangelaForever · 10/07/2018 07:36

If it makes you feel any better I used to live on a main road and the sound of traffic didn't annoy me. I've moved to a house of the way now and the silence creeps me out a bit 😂

0range99 · 10/07/2018 07:37

I’ve heard you get used to the noise but it wouldn’t be my choice as I would worry about kids / pets / parking etc.

0range99 · 10/07/2018 07:38

And as PP said, depends on how busy the road is.

Chelseajunior · 10/07/2018 07:38

I'm on a main road and the cars drive me nuts Angry

Oysterbabe · 10/07/2018 07:40

I wouldn't. I'd worry about the kids and plan on getting a cat one day.

FFSJake · 10/07/2018 07:40

I think this question comes up a lot Pepper Smile

My answer would be no. I live in London on a quiet street. Our CM is on a cut through road and during peak hours it's really busy and there's always a constant flow of traffic.

We slept with our windows opened last 2 nights not being woken up by traffic.

princesspino · 10/07/2018 07:42

We moved from a cul de sac to our dream house (but on a main road) last month. First few nights I thought we had made a huge mistake but now we are totally used to it. The plus of being a main road made it affordable for us .
You will get used to it. My only proble is while it’s hot we can’t have the windows open at Night, but we are going to get proper air on put in next year so it won’t be a problem

Shortstuff08 · 10/07/2018 07:42

It really depends.

My last house over looked a motorway. Less than half a mile away. It wasn't an issue.

I have lived very near train tracks. You don't notice it after a while.

jetsetter87 · 10/07/2018 07:46

I bought my first house 5 years ago and would never have been able to afford what I have (3bed semi all doubles and I have an en-suite) unless it had been on the main road

Similar houses-Infact the exact same house- were selling for around 30k more at the time and we couldn't stretch to it

The noise doesn't bother me at all now and dc was born here and has never had an issue sleeping I can't actually hear anything when I'm in my living room or kitchen and certainly not over the tv

Pros also are I feel more secure as my rationale is it's less likely to get broken into as witnesses always driving past don't know if that would actually make a difference

Tumbleweed101 · 10/07/2018 07:47

I live by a rural A road and the noise can be irritating at times but it does get quieter in the evenings.

Given a choice I’d live away from a road this busy but you do get used to it.

NancyDonahue · 10/07/2018 07:49

I wouldn't. It's something you can never change, whereas an imperfect house in a better location can be changed.

Plus it could be difficult selling it on in the future, especially if any building nearby makes the road busier etc.

RiverTam · 10/07/2018 07:51

Well, with the advent of electric cars, it IS something that will change but possibly not for a while. Could be a good investment but I’m not sure I could cope in the meantime, I can’t bear busy roads.

Frankwindsor · 10/07/2018 07:52

I have to say that the pollution is another factor against living near a busy road.

Kintan · 10/07/2018 07:54

Even if you could get used to the sound, as the poster above says the pollution is more of a problem. Especially if you have young children

OhMrDarcy · 10/07/2018 07:56

Having lived near busy roads and then railways I'd say no - noise and air pollution, can't have the windows open and hear the TV in the summer, difficulty in pulling off and onto your drive at rush hour, can't get a cat, always worrying in case the door/gate is left open and dog/child escapes. Not worth it IMO but I hate noise and never have the radio or TV on as background noise.

shadesofwinter · 10/07/2018 07:57

As PP have said, it depends a lot on whether you're talking dual carriageway-style busy, or a busy cut-through type road. I wouldn't consider the former, but we lived for 8 years on a busy road in London and were used to it after about a month.

That said, it was a major consideration when we moved after having children, and I wouldn't do it now. So it also depends on where you are in your life and what your priorities are...

thegreylady · 10/07/2018 07:59

You have to be super vigilant with children and cats. I wouldn’t do it.

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 10/07/2018 07:59

We live on a cul-de-sac so don’t overlook a main road but there are a couple near by. At rush hour, the noise is quite constant in this weather where the windows have to be open. You sort of get used to it but I woukd prefer the quiet.

Living on the road, I would be more bothered by pollution. You could try this check for your new postcode.

Aprilshouldhavebeenmyname · 10/07/2018 08:00

Not if you have cats /dogs /dc I wouldn't.

Aus84 · 10/07/2018 08:01

Nope I wouldn't do it. You can change a house but you can't change the location. And once you have had enough, it will be difficult to sell.

flissfloss65 · 10/07/2018 08:01

You’ll probably get used to the noise but pollution levels would worry me. Does anyone in your family suffer from asthma?

Aus84 · 10/07/2018 08:04

Oh, and I speak from experience! We lived on a busy road in a small town and although noise wasn't an issue, I hated not being able to let my children play out the front, walk a few doors up to a friends house, collect a stray ball etc. It was exhausting. We now live on a quieter street and feel much more relaxed.

ShatnersWig · 10/07/2018 08:06

Yes, the OP did ask this a week ago too