ok...so we are debating to buy our place...but it is right next to a train track (actually we are about 50-100 feet above the train tracks - its in a valley) most of the trains are commuters...so quiet, fast, short...can barely hear with doors closed...but at night a few freight trains go by...only noisy if the doors are open...
just wondering how bad resale would be...although they wouldn't see the freight trains most likely if they came to look
Fran M
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Re: living near a train?
My co-op in Little Neck was 1 block from the train station. You could not see the train from the apartment but you could definately hear and feal it go by. I used the Walk to the Station as a selling point. My co-op sold to the first person that saw it so I dont think the train was obsticle.
Jenny5150
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Re: living near a train?
Hmmm, I know we fell in love with some homes online, but as soon as we saw that they were near train tracks, they were scratched.
Lisa Rose
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Re: living near a train?
we live near the train tracks...we hear the train in the distance but can not see it. It bothers some people and others could care less.
How often does a train pass?? Every 5 mins...like the subway...or is it a couple of times in the am and the same in the PM??
Sonicstef
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Re: living near a train?
Erika - I think it really depends on the city you live. In a densely populated area like NYC or LI or some other suburbs, millions of people live right by the trains and in many cases, the proximity to the train is a big selling point.
In other areas, living near a train is a big detractor since it indicates a less posh area, added noise and congestion etc..
I have no idea about your area but hopefully that helps.
Teri
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Re: living near a train?
I second Stef's comment - where we live, it's desirable to be near our station since it's so big and convenient. If your town is a commuting one to SD or something, then it's probably a good point.
What you should do is talk to local RE agents, and just ask as much as you can to learn the info on your town and neighboring areas.
too bad there is no stop near us so that point won't work...
but its really just rush hour that they pass and 1-3 freight trains at night
flyin'bride
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Re: living near a train?
If you think you can live with the noise from the train then it shouldn't be a problem for you. There are things you can do to the house to help 'soundproof' it too. For example, there are special windows that help keep out sound (a lot of times they're used in houses that are close to airports, underneath approach/take-off paths), there is upgraded insulation with higher R-factors for noise, etc.
Good luck with making your decision!
chmlengr
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Re: living near a train?
I grew up in a house where the LIRR literally passed through our back yard. I never noticed it at all, I guess we all got used to it. The only thing we ever noticed is that when we went away for some time, we woud come back and find the dresser drawers open slightly. It took us some time to realize the vibrations from the passing trains opened them.
It was a great location because of the closeness to the commuter train. However, if the train your talking about is a freight train, they can be very noisy and long running. I'd think twice about that.
Elizabeth
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Re: living near a train?
I dont know if anyone else mentioned this but if you live near a train and alot of people drive to the train, you may end up with excessive parking on your block. Not really a problem if you have a driveway to accomodate your vehicles but I'd gauge how much daytime parking is on the block either way. Do you need to utilize street parking?
My BIL & SIL live near the LIRR in Malverne - it passes through the backyards across the street but it is inconsequential to them, you'd hardly know it. If anything, my 2 1/2 year old nephew LOVES it.
ChristineC68
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Re: living near a train?
I used to live in an apartment where my window was literally 10 feet away from the LIRR tracks - after a while I never really noticed it. I would of course hear it but didn't bother mer and it never woke me up (my bed was under this window).
Valenia
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Re: living near a train?
For resale, I would expect that your price will take a hit compared to similar units that are a block or two away. Fortunately, you should see a similar reduced price compared to those units when you purchase. As long as you do your homework on prices in the area you'll be fine, you pay less and then get less on resale.
I know you want to buy this unit to save the struggle of a move but you should go to open houses nearby just to make sure that the price is fair for all the positives and negatives of your unit. In otherwords, don't overpay just to save $1000 in moving expense. When I was condo shopping, the units that backed up on train tracks were consistently lower priced (by $10K or so) than similar units.
Resale will be harder then if there were no train tracks, but at the right price you'll find someone. No buyer is going to take your word for how quiet it is.
