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House ticks all boxes but right beside railway line

69 replies

ForGreatSeal · 25/09/2025 19:09

Right in target area, lower price than similar properties because of proximity to the main railway line into Oxford from the north...would it be worth it? Do people get used to the noise? https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/167402753#/

Check out this 4 bedroom end of terrace house for sale on Rightmove

4 bedroom end of terrace house for sale in Merrivale Square, Oxford, OX2 for £895,000. Marketed by Hamptons, Oxford

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/167402753#/

OP posts:
mnahmnah · 25/09/2025 19:11

I used to live right next to the railway line going into the main station of our medium sized city. Barely noticed it. Occasional horn or screech of brakes. But it really didn’t bother me. Is it near the station where they are slower? Or still full speed?

Burntt · 25/09/2025 19:19

I once lived right next door to a rail line. You get used to it very quickly. I prefer that to the noisey rude neighbours I have now

Lesson268 · 25/09/2025 19:22

It depends if the trains run through the night - the estate agent won't tell you. You get cargo trains etc that do night runs on some lines and they can be noisy but all down to personal preference - obviously you will be more disturbed by it in the Summer. I've heard some people say they wake up a the same time every night and then realise thats the time a train runs by but they've just never connected the two - i dont think it would be a huge disturbance but you won't really know until you move in which is the gamble. I think a busy road or a motorway would be much worse.

Theunamedcat · 25/09/2025 19:22

It's fine we lived next to two lines one regular one heritage i slept well

MujeresLibres · 25/09/2025 19:22

I live next to a busy road and it doesn't bother me. We have triple glazing in most windows though, and don't open them when we're sleeping because of noise. The garden is behind the house, away from the road, so not so noisy. With a train line, it might not just be noise, but vibrations too. Perhaps try and spend some more time in the area to assess?

Namechangedagain56 · 25/09/2025 19:22

I lived very close to a station and my house was the closest to the line. Very quickly got used to them and the only one I ever noticed was the one that used to go past at my bedtime as the house was very quiet then.

SwedishEdith · 25/09/2025 19:25

The sound of a train at night is cosy.

ThisMustBeMyDream · 25/09/2025 19:26

I lived with one running along the back of the house. Got used to it very quickly. I'd check it out though, how often, how fast etc before making a decision. But it probably won't bother you. My next house was on a main road, again didn't bother me. I now live on an estate and I hear the cars go past as they are so few and far between 🤣🙈.

Betsylee · 25/09/2025 19:27

I could never live near a railway line. We found the perfect new build bungalow but was near a railway line, I just couldn't go there. Live on a fairly busy road now, bit of a rat run tbh, it was a rental property we owned originally but moved in a couple of years ago but hate the road, constant noise. Never thought I'd live in the place, but I definitely prefer a cul-de-sac, and that's what I'll eventually move to.

Imupforthat · 25/09/2025 19:27

Our first house backed onto a busy commuter line. We never noticed a thing, even being out in the garden. Only time we ever had an issue was the occasional time they used to do overnight repairs because it was a very different noise but that was very rare.

BertieBotts · 25/09/2025 19:28

I live between a busy road and a railway line. The road is vastly more annoying. The train line is fine (and my son loves seeing all the trains).

canyon2000 · 25/09/2025 19:28

That is a lovely area! I think i would put up with the train to live there.

Dunnocantthinkofone · 25/09/2025 19:30

You’d probably get used to it. Selling the house later on though could be a big problem as many,many people wouldn’t even consider buying a house next to a train line

ChessieFL · 25/09/2025 19:31

I used to live next to a railway line and you do get used to it very quickly. The only problem as a pp said is when they are doing repairs/upgrades on the rails - this usually happens at night and that can be disturbing but hopefully wouldn’t be more than the odd night or two.

AmpleLilacQuail · 25/09/2025 19:31

I lived in a flat with a railway line across the road, totally fine and the noise of the trains became quite comforting almost. It was soo weird during lockdowns when the train timetable was drastically reduced!

MiddleAgedDread · 25/09/2025 19:33

I grew up with a railway line at the back of our garden and slept in the back bedroom. Never bothered me and still doesn’t when I visit parents. I can’t stand any amount of road noise though!

verycloakanddaggers · 25/09/2025 19:35

Electrified line or diesel? How many trains per day? What speed?

Boogiemam · 25/09/2025 19:41

Trainline at the bottom of our garden although a lot lower than our house. Apart from occasional train horns it's barely noticeable. At times when a faster train goes past you notice / feel it a little but not enough to bother you in any way.

It's a really really nice knowing we have a super private garden, no one can really get into our back garden without wading through all the bramble and brush. Although the fright I got once when hanging out the washing and seeing NT workers strolling past wasn't great 😂

Shadowfacs · 25/09/2025 19:46

I would be more concerned about those canal/waterways to the East and West. Has flooding/subsidence ever been an issue ?

itsgettingweird · 25/09/2025 19:47

I love next to a railway line.

I also only notice when they aren’t running!!!

Lesson268 · 25/09/2025 19:54

I really depends on how close the railway line is too - is it right behind your back garden? i stayed in a hotel once for an extended period with work and there was a railway line running under the hotel - i think it was over a station or something in Paris. It was horrendous, and you could feel the vibration - i literally got no sleep - but obviously you wouldn't be that close!

ThatNaiceMember · 25/09/2025 19:54

SwedishEdith · 25/09/2025 19:25

The sound of a train at night is cosy.

I agree. I have lived in two houses with railway lines next to them. One did have night running trains but they never wake me up. The other didn't seem to, or maybe I was too asleep to notice 🤣

illsendansostotheworld · 25/09/2025 19:58

I would love to live that close, but l am a bit of a trainspotter!

Lesson268 · 25/09/2025 20:00

Boogiemam · 25/09/2025 19:41

Trainline at the bottom of our garden although a lot lower than our house. Apart from occasional train horns it's barely noticeable. At times when a faster train goes past you notice / feel it a little but not enough to bother you in any way.

It's a really really nice knowing we have a super private garden, no one can really get into our back garden without wading through all the bramble and brush. Although the fright I got once when hanging out the washing and seeing NT workers strolling past wasn't great 😂

It sounds like you've already decided - i'd go for it - just expect that if you ever sell it may take a bit longer and you would also sell it for less.

SarahAndQuack · 25/09/2025 20:00

What a pretty house! I think @SwedishEdith said it best - trains at night are cosy.

I wouldn't want trains screaming past, I suppose. But I have very fond memories of living in a house (in Oxford) that backed onto the railway, and I found the sound of trains waiting to pull into the station at night really comforting.