Living on the South Circular Road (Living on a busy road)

vivster

My last flat was on the A10, which hosts 9 London bus routes at that point. But the block was set fairly well back (maybe 25m) from the road, I was on the top floor and we were triple-glazed.

With the windows closed, the traffic noise wasn't a bother at all. In the summer it was more of an issue. With the windows open, you'd have to turn the TV up fairly loud to hear it, but we would even sleep with the windows open on particularly hot nights and it was okay. You can get used to anything. I also liked being very close to tranport links and not having to walk through quiet, poorly lit side streets late at night.

Having said that, now I'm in a house on a quiet suburban street and the most noise we get is someone driving past with their car radio turned up too loud, I'm not sure I could go back to main road living.

I think it depends on the house, its position, how easy it is to soundproof etc. There are some nice houses along the SC, and it's not really a proper multi-lane road like the NC. I would never live on the NC.

Fraise

I have heard that acoustic fencing is fantastic at cutting the noise, so much so that you can sit in the garden and barely hear the traffic outside!

Better_Days

What is the nature of the road noise on the SC outside the property? Is there a lot of stop start or is there a steady stream of traffic. The latter is not so bad, but the stop start of brakes, revving engines, lorries, lane jumping, horns blaring would be much more intrusive.

This will also affect how you will be able to use your outside space, and keeping windows open for fresh air. You wont be able to dry your washing outside without it getting dirty. The traffic fumes may impact negatively on your health.

I would go for the smaller house in a quieter street, especially if you don't need the extra space. Will be easier to sell on too.

Angie_B

The South Circ is very stop start. Just last week I spent an hour and a half sat on it going nowhere fast for no discernible reason (for a journey that usually takes less than half that).

I live about 300m from the SC now and can't hear a thing (except sirens as previously mentioned), even with all the windows open as they are right now. When I was househunting, I looked at a lovely flat in a beautiful art deco block right on the SC. In the end I decided that the constant noise and the hassle of trying to get in and out of the block in a car was too much.

Now I walk past that same flat each day on my way to and from work and watch people struggle and queue for ages just to pull into the block to park and I am content that I made the right decision.

Only you can know if it will bother you. You do get used to noise and do have to accept a certain amount of it wherever you live in London but living right on the SC is probably one step too far for most people.