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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Do you live off a fast road like this? (Pic)

23 replies

groyard · 22/05/2024 22:03

Partner and I in a position to build in a very expensive part of the country. It would be a savvy move as by our (conservative) estimates we could potentially make a profit of around 20% whilst also living in our dream home.

The plot we have found is off a fast A road. Not many cars use the road so sound is not an issue. House will have electrics gates and a decent drive to turn around. But there’s something about the frenetic energy of a large road which puts me off. Right now we live in a very quiet area where I can walk dogs with no issue. Not sure how I feel about not being to do so in future.

Advice is most welcome!

Do you live off a fast road like this? (Pic)
OP posts:
Original poster
groyard · 22/05/2024 22:11

Issue is I would not be brave enough to walk out my door and walk dogs.

OP posts:
WonderingWanda · 22/05/2024 22:13

It's not fast, it's for a 40mph speed limit. Most country lanes are national speed limit so much faster.

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 22/05/2024 22:13

Well.40 isn't that fast, but do people disregard the limit?
No.pavements. not safe for walking.
No street lights (some find this an advantage!)
We used to live on a country 40 road and it was motorbikes that were worst for speed and noise. You could hear them at least a mile away in each direction.

somewhereovertherain · 22/05/2024 22:15

We live on a similar road with a national speed limit. Its it not a problem.

Bridgertonned · 22/05/2024 22:16

It's the lack of pavements that would be an issue for me, I have friends who live near me but more rurally and with the same situation as this. They pretty much only leave the house if they are driving, which for me seems to really defeat the purpose of living in the countryside! The land around them is privately owned so although the views are nice, there isn't really anywhere that they can go.

Faketanisapain · 22/05/2024 22:16

Book into a few Airbnb’s on similar roads and see how you feel.

It would be a no from me but we have children playing out in our dead end street and some of my friends with no children find this very annoying.

It really is a personal preference.

LaPalmaLlama · 22/05/2024 22:16

No I agree it would be madness to walk along there. Have you factored that into your calcs? Just because there will be people who wouldn’t live somewhere where the only way to leave their house is by car?

Original poster
groyard · 22/05/2024 22:17

It’s only a mile from a nice commuter town high street. But I would not be brave enough to walk around blind corners so almost pointless.

OP posts:
JugglingJanuary · 22/05/2024 22:18

groyard · 22/05/2024 22:11

Issue is I would not be brave enough to walk out my door and walk dogs.

I did for a few years & I HATED not being able to go for a walk without driving some where. I wouldn't do it again.

StillSeekingResponsibleAdult · 22/05/2024 22:20

I would hate living on a road like this unless there is a footpath/ back way out somewhere else. I couldn't ever live somewhere where you couldn't safely walk out the house and had to take the car to go anywhere.

However this obviously doesn't bother lots of people and with a 20% profit margin you will have a huge deposit if you decide you need to be somewhere else, so on that basis I would go for it.

hmc39 · 22/05/2024 22:52

I read the title of this as “fast food” and was so confused when I started reading the actual post 🤣

Tetchypants · 22/05/2024 22:55

I couldn’t live somewhere where I had to get in my car just to go for a walk.

Original poster
groyard · 23/05/2024 14:25

Thanks all. Really like the idea of renting an air BnB.

Thr idea of having to always get in your car to go somewhere gives me intense claustrophobia. Eventually it would be a pain in the arse with future kids also.

OP posts:
RishiFinallyDidTheRightThing · 23/05/2024 14:31

Up to you, but if I had a lot of money to spend on a house, I wouldn’t choose to live on a main road. Where is the point of money if you don’t have the things you really want?

Original poster
groyard · 23/05/2024 14:34

RishiFinallyDidTheRightThing · 23/05/2024 14:31

Up to you, but if I had a lot of money to spend on a house, I wouldn’t choose to live on a main road. Where is the point of money if you don’t have the things you really want?

I agree but due to the fact the area is extremely expensive and partner and I have limited finances compromises have to be made. A mile from the station is very compelling.

OP posts:
SaltyGod · 23/05/2024 14:50

My parents live on a similar road to this, although busier. They go for walks in the other direction, over farm tracks and on footpaths over fields.

We live on a quiet road with blind bends and no pavements. I wouldn’t walk it in rush hour but it’s fine on a Sunday with the kids. It’s quiet enough that you hear cars coming and can step onto the verge. Also walk on the other side of the road if it’s a blind bend.

SaltyGod · 23/05/2024 14:51

The other thing to consider is will it get busier? Are there housing developments planned or road changes planned?

Ultimately it would probably be a compromise that I would make, particularly if I could sell it on in the future for a good profit

Lovemusic82 · 23/05/2024 14:56

I live just off a road like this, though it’s a road that changes from open speed limit to 30 literally level with my house/road. There is some road noise but only really first think in the morning and afternoon (rush hour), at the weekend it’s reasonable quiet. In the past I have lived much further away from buoys roads so it took a little while to get used to the traffic noise. Crossing the road when it’s busy can be hard with dogs so I walk in the other direction. I live on the edge of a village so other than the road it’s pretty peaceful.

FranklySonImTheGaffer · 23/05/2024 14:56

Is there definitely no other way to leave and walk?
My MIL lives in a road like this but with a 60mph limit. It's a bit nerve wracking pulling out of the driveway and I defiantly wouldn't risk walking out the front however, the selling point for them is that the back of it opens on to farmland with paths or tracks they can walk along.

If that isn't an option I don't think it would be worth it for me personally.

Lovemusic82 · 23/05/2024 14:58

groyard · 23/05/2024 14:25

Thanks all. Really like the idea of renting an air BnB.

Thr idea of having to always get in your car to go somewhere gives me intense claustrophobia. Eventually it would be a pain in the arse with future kids also.

I have to use the car to go anywhere, well almost. It’s something I am used to so it doesn’t bother me. We are not in walking distance of shops or schools but we are in walking distance of a pub but it involves waking along the main road to get there.

LIZS · 23/05/2024 14:59

Are there any public footpaths nearby?

Riversideandrelax · 23/05/2024 15:37

Personally, I'd hate to live somewhere like that. So you have to get in the car every time you want to go out?

I'd never really realised this before but someone commented they couldn't walk their DC to school as it was too dangerous due to no pavements and fast roads. I just couldn't imagine being so trapped in your own home you can't even go for a walk or walk your DC to school. The DC would be completely reliant on you taking them everywhere.

Obviously some don't mind it but it would be a hard no from me.

Ineedanewsofa · 23/05/2024 15:45

We do! We can get straight out of our land onto public footpaths without a problem. Road used to be a 60 but has been switched to a 40 which has helped loads with noise, now petitioning to have it weight restricted to under 7.5 tonne other than for access which will help further. It’s not actually that busy so it’s not like living with a constant noise

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