What are my options??

[Options123]

I moved house two months ago to a lovely area, near a beautiful town which I am loving. The only problem is that the house is on a road that has turned out to be quite busy, I’m on high anxiety at the moment with it and feel that I don’t think about anything else. Wherever I go in the house, I’m listening for the road noise and almost got to the point where I’m counting how many cars can pass. Anyone that I see or meet, I am jealous of their house being on a quiet street and the fact that they can open their bedroom windows and sit in the garden in peace, this was all I wanted when I moved out of London. We have planned an extension which has now been partly paid, so I don’t really know what my options are here. My husband said we could potentially see how we are in a year and then maybe sell, but we would probably lose a lot of money from this. I just wondered if anybody has had the same or a similar situation and found a solution? It’s getting me down a lot, to the point I’m in constant worry and I’ve got two small children as well, and I just worry that I’m wasting this part of their early life worrying. I just don’t know how to get through it, I am receiving some help with my anxiety but it’s only weekly so in between I’m still suffering a lot with it. Please someone help me with it, what should I do?

What is it that's actually worrying you?

Yes, it's noisy, but why is this dominating your life? Do you hate noise generally? Is it the pollution? Is it a snobbery thing (ie not the 'best' street)?

Plenty of people live in noisy environments and usually you get used to it. I'm assuming you paid less than you would on a local quiet street?

It sounds like you're hyperfocusing on it, are you stressed about other things? And, respectfully, do you work/get out of the house day to day? Or are you stuck in obsessing over the noise?

I live in a quiet road and when my windows are open all I can hear is birds and the occasional car pass. I don't sit there thinking "oh I love bird song". I'm getting the kids ready, or rushing around for work or drop offs or getting meals ready etc. We're soon moving to a busy road to get more house for our money. I couldn't care less about the noise, it's literally not a consideration for me, when I'm in my new house, I'll be going about my day, not listening for the cars.

Sorry, in answer to your question, it seems you you have three options;

1. get used to it over time. Force yourself to get out more and stop thinking about it.

2. take measures to minimise the noise. Add thicker curtains. A fence and greenery. More glazing etc.

3. move and surrender your deposit.

@RunningThroughMyHead thanks for your reply.

I guess it’s the fact I wanted a peaceful house I could sit quietly in. The noise just irritates me, I don’t know why. I’m not working at the moment so I’m at home a lot with the children, I start work part time in September and think that will help. I also get caught up with the fact I can’t open my front windows and have a bath in peace. I know all minor stuff but it’s just got to me rather a lot

Remember, for 48 weeks a year your windows will be firmly shut.

@ClockHolly Yes that’s true

I suspect you have too much time on your hands, hopefully come September it'll feature less in your life.

Were you aware of the traffic before you moved in? Did you know the area well?

@RunningThroughMyHead no we came to see the house 3/4 times but each time was 10/11 am which is when the road is quiet so wouldn’t have noticed. We don’t know the area and travelled from London when we came to view it so never saw it in busy times unfortunately. Such a shame, I feel like I’ve made a huge mistake

We all make mistakes but equally sometimes things feel like mistakes but become blessings in disguises. Hopefully over time you learn to love your house.

Would you have been able to afford the same house on a better street?

We all make compromises. If it wasn't the noisy road, it would be space, or garden size, or lack of schools, or dated interior etc. Unless you have limitless funds, something has to give.

Also, lots of people move every few years. Perhaps use the next few years to do up the house (but be wise where you spend money to ensure a ROI) in a view to move on in a few years.

@Options123

how much have you actually paid towards the extension? If you complete it, what extra space will it give you and will it still be under the streets ceiling price?

I understand how you're feeling, it's very disappointing not to be getting what you thought you were & I hate noise too!! I'd be pissed off for sure!!

IF the extension will add value & not put your house over the ceiling price for your street I'd crack on. Make it a project to focus on. Having workmen there a lot will make the days they aren't there seem lively & quiet!!

in the time it takes to get the extension completed you might have fallen in love with your house & stopped noticing the noise.

id put some Alexa type speakers around the house & have the radio on low (and I don't normally have the radio/tv on but have found it helpful to stop focussing on outside noise when neighbours are driving me mad).

I find it takes a bit to get used to a new house & easy to focus on the negatives at first.

give it time, but also give yourself permission to say you CAN start looking around again, if you want to after the extension is finished. At least this time you would be in the area and know more about where you want to live.

take the kids fir lots if walks to see which streets you like to live on.

We live on a busy road, but we tend to be in the kitchen/breakfast room at the back or garden in the daytime. We also have a water feature in the garden that really helps with the road noise. You will get used to it OP, still early days.

@Roselilly36 thanks for replying. How long did it take you to get used to it? Does the house feel like home despite it? I am hoping I can get used to it as I do feel the house will be lovely once we’ve done the extension

Might secondary glazing help?