House ticks all boxes but right beside railway line

[ForGreatSeal]

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#/

And rats. Sorry!

But trains? I would actively buy a house like that. My childhood home was near a line and my 20s home was basically on the tracks. Things used to fall off the walls. I LOVED it. Nerd Alert!

I’ve lived with a busy train line at the end of my garden for 20 years. Indoors it never bothers us, we are totally oblivious to it. Outside if a train comes by you have to stop your conversation for a few seconds while it passes. This doesn’t really bother us. I find family life is pretty noisy anyway so what’s a bit more noise.

I wouldnt be bothered by the trains but by possible japanese knotweed which plagues a lot of british rail land, also does that front sitting room on the ground floor have a window?

I clicked on this thread because I grew up next to a trainline and weirdly it was 2 mins from this house on Southmoor Road!
I absolutely loved the gentle rocking of the trains. They go pretty slow past there. The rare freight trains rumbled a bit but I loved it.

Its an amazing spot by Port Meadow. Its got a lot more gentrified since I grew up there but is an amazing spot and that is a pretty low price for the area.

Port meadow always floods but the area that house is in doesn't. The meadow is huge and takes all the flood water.

You have to decide whether you’re going to let it bother you or not.
we have a train line at the bottom of the garden which is great as we got a longer garden and privacy with no one behind us. The trains run twice every half an hour and from 6am to 11pm so for us it is manageable, almost comforting back ground noise- I know what time it is like a clock chiming! So as other have said check the timetables to see when they’re running. Also some trains are electric so quieter. Can you stake out the house for an afternoon in your car to find out?!

don’t even think about it inside but outside if having people over we sometimes have to stop talking for that few moments the trains pass but no big deal. We decided to not let it bother us as the house was exactly what we wanted and it doesn’t.

I used to live on the next development along from the one you have linked. I got used to the train noise really quickly - I actually miss it now I’ve moved as it was comforting! You can also sometimes hear the Orient Express go past and that’s quite exciting!

I rented an apartment fairly close to a main railway line and I didn't mind it. I now live fairly close to a very busy A road so I hear traffic all day and night but it doesn't bother me. Other types of noise really upsets me. I'd lurk if I were you at all times of the day to see how bad it is.

We in are in same situation and love it. We don’t notice the trains really but sometimes I am awake in bed to hear the last train of night going by and I love it, it feels really cosy. Also in the summer we sometimes get a steam train going past and the steam comes into the garden, which the kids love! I would much rather have this than constant road noise for sure. I always forget about the trains and then we have visitors who are like ‘What’s that?!’ and it genuinely takes me a second to realise what they’re talking about

I go past this on the train on the way into Paddington when working in London! All trains stop at Oxford, so they’ll only be going slowly anyway given the proximity of the station. It is a busy line, as it has trains going off in different directions - GWR, Cross Country and Chiltern Line.

Port Meadow is lovely for a wander, but as some PP have said, I’d check the flood risk given you’ve also got the canal on the other side (although canals will rarely flood due to lock and water management).

I’d say, despite the railway, it’s a fabulous location with open space close by, but still walkable into the city centre too. Looks like you have parking too which is a big plus. However, do look at the new Oxford congestion charge to see if that’s likely to affect you.

Railways are quieter than main roads. I have a mate who has a terraced house with a tiny garden and the Hastings main line at the bottom of it. He says he never notices it and, when I've stayed with him, I haven't after the first day.

Plus, if you buy it, it's unlikely anyone's ever going to build something unsightly and annoying behind you!

https://www.railwaydata.co.uk/stations/overview/?TLC=OXF

1800 services per week, so I guess about 250 trains per day ?

They won't be screaming past though.

That neighborhood is fantastic. No through-traffic and lots of young and old families. Walk to Jericho and the city, and a five minute bike ride to train station along the canal. There are no flooding issues. Port Meadow floods every winter but it is a water meadow and that's what it is supposed to do. It is like a big sponge. Speaking to neighbours that close to the train line probably best strategy re issues from noise and vibration - there are no windows on the west side of the house.

Even if there was no railway line, the trees would be enough to put me off that house. I’ve lived near a big tree before. Makes the house dark and dingy, bird mess and sap on the cars. Lots of leaves to clear up. Fear of tree falling on the house in storms, or roots damaging house.

i used to live 20m away from the freight line across the channel. Trains couldn't run between 11pm and 6am, and actually it was really handy as the bed would shake very slightly at 6am to wake me up for work. The house didn't shake or anything, and my kids mattresses didn't bounce, but there must have been something about mine being extra firm or who knows that meant mine shook just a little bit as a freight train went by

Noise-wise I didn't even notice (although there were 2 high sound absorbing fences, so I suppose that's not a surprise)

Loads of people say you get used to railway noise. And they're absolutely right. I had the back bedroom for a year when I was renting and it was 20-25m from the main line to London. Heard the trains when we looked round and then pretty much never again. Very odd how it does just blend in. I'd MUCH rather a railway line than airport. Airport in summer used to drive me crazy!

@SwedishEdithTotally agree, plus it’s also very private…..

So I was walking to Port Meadow today and went into this development to look at the house. It is so nice there, the development is very quiet and well maintained. Just opposite the house is a pretty communal garden with railings around it. A few trains went by as we walked around. They were all going quite slowly and just rumbled past. Honestly, 895 in North Oxford seemed a good buy. My husband and I were both quite taken with the house!

I lived somewhere with the garden backing onto a train line and didn't hear it after the first couple of nights.
I also rented a flat backing onto a motorway with single glazing and soon couldn't hear the noise.