Do you get used to road noise?

[irregularegular]

I went to view a beautiful house yesterday. Truly gorgeous. The oldest part dated from 1760, with later Georgian and Victorian extensions, and it was chock full of period features from the 18th Century though to the early 20th century. Tonnes and tonnes of space too. Beautiful half acre garden and fabulous views.

It was just the right kind of a renovation job too. The elderly couple living there have done so since the early 70s and amazingly didn't impose any 70s/80s hideousness on it. Everything is still there. Yes, it's very old fashioned and needs lots of work, but they actually seem to have maintained it pretty well, so it's perfectly habitable and you could do it up bit by bit.

So far, so good. I'd buy it like a shot IF it wasn't end on to a fairly busy road. There's no denying the road noise - and I realise that is the only reason we can afford it.

Where we are now is so quiet, DH won't even contemplate this road. He didn't even come and see it with me (there were diary clashes) but once I mentioned the road noise that was it. I, on the other hand, keep wondering if the trade off would be worth it, whether you'd get used to it. But he's probably right, isn't he? Sigh it is such a perfect house, otherwise.

Thing is, there's different types of noise... as jumpjockey says- constant noise you don't notice after a while. We lived in the middle of Paris- hugely noisy, but as the level was constant day and night, you didn't notice it.
We live on a busy road now, and although it's quiet in the evening, you notice every single vehicle going past, and it is too loud to watch television in the sitting room in the evening, as dialogue is ruined every 2 minutes.

Well you could plant a row of quick growing tree shrubs with another row immediately behind which is slightly taller so that it bounces the sound back onto the road?

Or fence round perimeter with row of trees behind to give a sound buffer?

How close to the road would your garden table be? If you were sat having a lovely glass of Pimm's on a summer's evening do you think you would hear the No.27 trundling past?

You are obviously going to some work so if necessary could you move or reposition outside entertaining area to point away from the road?

Pink - you're clearly a woman after my own heart!

The terrace (ooooh - how grand having a 'terrace') is already at the end of the house facing away from the road, towards the view.

I actually don't think there is a No. 27 (or any buses, of any number). I've been hanging round there for a bit and not seen anything bigger than an Ocado delivery van. Definitely no vibrating.

Those poor vendors are probably growing increasingly anxious by that very sweet but somewhat unhinged lady who viewed the other day who has taken to hanging about their property with a dreamy expression and a busy pencil making fab plans

Now you need a plan, firstly Mr Irregular needs to become as in love with it as you if anything is to happen. Mr Pink has been known to drag his heels once before as he was just not keen on moving the minute massive renovations had been completed and the paint had dried too settled. In fact when I utter the words ' Darling, I have seen the most wonderful house and we are booked to have a look on Tuesday' he visably sighs.

Maybe you need to take your DH along on a quieter time and have another look and listen yourself at the busiest time?

Many say they get used to road traffic, but I never have. I tried for so long and ended up having a serious breakdown. I used earplugs after that and kept getting ear infections. Im not the only one who never gets used to it... lots of people can't. It is a mistake to tell people they will. I rented a flat on the strength of people saying you'll get used to it. Now I am broken

Owl, this is a zombie thread, so maybe not much traffic, if you'll pardon the pun.

I'm sorry you have been impacted by noise, it does get inside your head doesn't it? Maybe start a thread if you want more support?

Some people never get used to it, like those who are noise sensitive such as myself. It is very very difficult to find a suitable home for people like us, but otherwise I would suggest doing what I have done - have a secondary glazing unit with acoustic glass installed in the bedroom. It is expensive, and seems outrageous I know... but if like me you are unable to move then it is worth every penny. Get the best soundproofing one you can afford

I have a busy road behind my house. Its not so much very late or very early. I sleep with ear plugs in now. Its not an issue anymore other then when tractors go past at night! In the day its fine. You do get used to it and you could always plant hedges to block it out.

I would much rather road noise then people noise! Visit at different times of the day and night if you can.

Why are you reanimating a zombie thread to tell people this, Owl?

Everywhere you live in our village you can hear the motorway, I am only occasionally aware of it but people comment when they come to stay so it must be noticeable. We also used to live right under a flight path and got used to the planes quickly (kind of miss them!). So yes I think you would get used to noise very quickly.

Haha just realised I replied to an ancient thread!

LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION
We live on a quiet( lcul de sac) road off a busy main road -about 200 yards back and 'shielded' by the gardens and houses on the main road, which muffle the noise quite a lot . There is a background 'hum' of traffic when we are in the garden but I don't notice it (weve been here 27 years and I suppose it has got worse) but I wouldn't live on the main road with buses, heavy lorries etc stopping and starting . I notice it whenever I wait for a bus And this is suburbia, not a rural environment .
My brother lives in the country but on a very busy road, though set well back .Its not just the noise, its the speed traffic goes past at .

I would look elsewhere, OP
The road wil lonly get busier and you might find it hard to sell on

This thread is four years old.

I used to live over one of the busiest roundabouts in the south west. Decent double glazing meant I got used to the noise quickly, and the noise meant I got used to closing my windows when I was in.

Until they started digging up said roundabout, under an lock of flats, OVERNIGHT!!

We're now at the edge of a development, at the end of a cup de sac, with woodland behind us. It's bliss! I'd not live with road noise again.

Ha ha! I didnt notice the year! I wonder if OP lives there now?....