How much does living on an A road devalue a property

[Squidgysquiffle]

Basically there is a very small area we want to live in, because of school catchment and proximity to station. Not many houses really come up for sale and because of school applications we don't have unlimited wait time (plus our buyers are not likely to be that patient)
There are 2 houses we like within that area and both are on for the same price. One is on the main road but is perfect inside, the other is on a lovely quiet road (but only about 300m away from the first) but would definitely benefit from a single storey extension to the rear. Which would you say is likely to be the better buy, all things being equal? I'm leaning to the quieter road but not sure...

I wouldn't pick the A road. Stress is caused by things you have no control over. In time you can change what isn't quite right about the quiet road house (decoration/extension). But you can't control the environment around the A road house. The air quality would be a worry in the back of my mind all the time., particularly with asthma in the family.

Having said that, one could have noisy neighbours, the other not! But air quality would swing it for me.

Definitely go for the quieter road and live with it for a bit- you can change the house but not the location!

I would prefer a quiet road.

My Dad bought a house on an A road at the point traffic was meant to be 30. Inevitably people drove faster. The noise was horrendous. I could never sleep. Took him ages to sell

PILs house is on an A road technically, it's just the main Street through the tiny village, very little traffic. The road at the bottom of ours isn't an A road but is busier than theirs, so it depends. Visit at different times of day to get a feel for how busy it is. Is it right on the pavement or does it have a drive/good size front garden? Is it double glazed? (PILs isn't because it's listed so they have secondary glazing)

My gran would always buy a house on a main road as they were always bigger and better quality - builders would do this to attract buyers for the whole estate.

It wouldn’t put me off.

Lots of people said they live in one and don’t notice after a while.

Like PP said in 10 years there will be far more electric vehicles on the Ed’s and the noisy and pollution will drop - then you are left with a big house on a quiet street.

Saying that, if it’s just the decoration and finish you like, you can always replicate that in the other house, we all have to refresh our homes.

I live on an A road. However, it is set back and has large hedges . In addition, we have double glazing
I barely hear the traffic. The road is only slightly busy weekday mornings ( 07:30-9:00)
We don’t have any neighbours opposite or to the right of the house which is why we liked it.

The quiet road without a doubt for me. I value the safety of my pets on the front, also DC when they were younger. Also, if I'm out in the garden I want to hear birds, not cars.

I would never buy a house on an A road so I think it will be harder to sell when the time comes, even if it doesn’t bother you.