House next to a level crossing...thoughts?

Marie27lol

Howdy BLM

My folks decided to get a house the far side of a railway station (about 2mins from the station), and so could hear them slowing down.

The noise wasn't too much of an issue - however DO find out about the long, long goods trains and what time they travel.

What really needs to be considered; can you cope with the 10-15mins in the early morning, rushing to work / school and having to cross the train tracks as you're needing to wait for them to pass.

My folks did, and got themselves a bargain, and after 6 year (marriage ended), they got themselves a bit of a profit.

On the other bonus side, nothing else would be built at the end of the garden....

Therefore does the time delay and noise = cheaper price, is it worth it?

M

olly300

The only thing that would really annoy you if is they have to do track or crossing repairs.

I lived with a train platform at the bottom of a very long garden for 5 years. There were 6 train lines in all - 2 fast and 4 slow - and 4 platforms. The garden had one platform at the back of it but due to the length and trees you couldn't see in the house. (I actually used the train for work so had a good look)

They replaced loads of tracks once over a warm bank holiday so couldn't open windows for 4 nights. The sound of metal on metal put my teeth on plus the bright lights disrupted my sleep. I actually went else where for 2 nights.

They also did 2 lots of track repairs 4 months prior which was one night of disruption each time with loads of very bright lights.

In fact the most annoying thing was the station announcements which everyone on the entire street could hear as soon as we opened our front doors for 6 months until with help from the local MP and council we got them to turn it down.

Lou67

I would run a mile. A house next to a level crossing?! No wonder it's for sale!

I_have_spoken

I thought trains now had to hoot at every crossing? You'd need to be there when trains go through to assess the noise.

xcarlyx

I couldnt stand living next to a level crossing get fed up of trains

Have a long think about it.

aliasojo

My gut feeling is that this is one of those things that wouldn't bother you initially because you loved the house, but once the first happy thoughts had worn off, it might bug you then.

My ex bought a house beside a railway line and as said above, it wasn't so much the trains themselves that were the issue, it was the ongoing checks and works on the line that was the PITA.

There's a house we looked at when we first had to move, it was only beside a bus stop not a train line. It was priced accordingly, much lower than surrounding houses. Over 2 years later and it's still up for sale. The house itself is lovely, it's just that the bus stop isn't a selling feature. I think generally people prefer to avoid such houses. Only you will know if not being able to sell in future would be a big issue for you or not.

I agree with the poster above who said you should see for yourself. pack a flask and sit in the car for a couple of hours.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

DaftyDuck

How long have the previous occupants lived there (ie put up with it)? It's a problem you know about, and you still love the house. Yes, resale must be considered, but ten years down the line, and the lower price you pay now reflects the lower price you sell at. The trains are few... how rattly are cars & lorries crossing? What's the possibility of the route becoming increased traffic?

I would not be put off. You seem to have done your homework

zzzLazyDaisy

Have you checked on the internet when they bought it and what they paid for it? If they haven't been there long that could be indicative of a problem. Similarly, if they bought within the last few years, the price they paid is likely to influence the price they are willing to sell at.

A level crossing is less disruptive than a station. The biggest nuisance could be having to wait in the car for the trains to pass, when you are going to work etc.... but that would be the same whether you lived next door or up the road.

I would suggest that you make several trips there at different times of the day and night (is there a B&B nearby?). Inside the house may not be a problem with double glazing, but what if you want to sit outside in the garden.

If you do put in an offer, start low. They are short of buyers and if they really want to move, they will need to be realistic.

GDB2222

monty-doggy wrote: »

If you love the house and it does to bother you why are you worrying what a buyer in ten or so years thinks? You don't know what your position will be then and to be honest it shouldn't matter right now. If you can notice it, you can get triple glazing. Talk to the neighbours see what they say, they will know first hand what it's like to live with.

I think this is a very short-sighted attitude. The OP is buying an expensive asset that will require taking out a massive loan (I presume). Resale value is extremely important, as that loan will need to be paid off. Besides that, the lenders need to be satisfied about the value, and they won't take a cosy ten year view.

Besides that, nobody wants to over-pay, regardless of how long they will live there.

JennyW_2

GDB2222 wrote: »

I think this is a very short-sighted attitude. The OP is buying an expensive asset that will require taking out a massive loan (I presume). Resale value is extremely important, as that loan will need to be paid off. Besides that, the lenders need to be satisfied about the value, and they won't take a cosy ten year view.

Besides that, nobody wants to over-pay, regardless of how long they will live there.

I would tend to agree with monty-doggy......does it really matter what we all think? We're not the ones going to live there; we all have our compromises and I think the OP knows what she's doing.

I could think of a lot worse places to live.

OP - i would do as the others have suggested, visit and park up for a while during different times of the day and night.

If you could put a link that would help. One thing to consider is building vibration from the train. Not that the house would fall down, but could you put up with that?