Dream house 10m from tram line

Carcy

Hi, I’m new to the forum and just seeking some opinions. My partner and I have recently found a house we love. The problem is that it’s the second house from the end of a cul-de-sac that has some trees then gets cut across by a tram line. (This is the Metrolink in Greater Manchester). According to google maps we are 10-20m from the tram line. The trams run about every ten minutes in each direction (so probably every 5 min on average). During the viewing we heard the tram go by a couple of times but it didn’t seem that loud. However it was also a windy day and I’m not sure if that made the sound less noticeable! We were there half an hour so it must also have gone by a few times without us noticing. The 2 closest actual tram stops are both approx ten minutes walk away. 

Is this likely to be a problem with noise? We are worried about whether this is likely to bother us when we are living there all the time. We would definitely not consider buying on a busy road, is this similar? Also is it likely to put off potential buyers in future if we want to sell? We are not getting it particularly cheaply now but I understand currently it’s a strong seller’s market.

Thanks for any feedback

ShrewsfanIC

I’d defo go back and do some research.  Is the price good for the area? 

ProDave

Go and stand outside and see what they are really like.  i.e. would it stop you enjoying the garden?

MalMonroe

I'd really rather have trams than horrible, noisy and vandalous neighbours, which we have had in the past. My friend lives near a tram stop and it doesn't bother her at all. I think once you get used to it you just block it out. Is that the reason the vendors are leaving? Maybe you could have a word with some of the neighbours (taking all precautions because of coronavirus, of course).

The good thing is that trams do stop running at night but then again if I lived near tram tracks it wouldn't worry me. Or if I lived near trainlines, either. I do quite like to hear trains and trams though, I guess it depends on whether you could live with it or not. I could. Road traffic noise and fumes wouldn't be acceptable, though. And as I say, anything beats those awful unruly neighbours we had where we lived in the past. We had a lovely house, spoiled by disgusting people. We ended up having to sell to one of those 'we buy any property' companies because of those neighbours, and lost money on the deal but - it was worth it.

If you have any doubts,though, you may be just as well looking elsewhere. It'd be awful to buy a house and then realise that you really can't bear the tram noise after all. 

NQManchester

The house you’re interested in sounds like one I lived in but I was at the furthest end of the street from the tram line (so maybe 12 terraced houses along) 
We were in the middle of two stops, which sounds the same as you, and so the trams passed really quickly as they’re not slowing or accelerating and I honestly didn’t even notice them even in the yard. 

I’d just go and have a listen to a few go past again at a different time.

The metrolink is on a reduced timetable at the moment but I think the maximum should be every 3 mins. 

NQManchester

On a side note I was also told by a policeman friend that our street would probably get less burglars because they don’t like risking being blocked in by the tramline if the police come. May or may not be true.

lookstraightahead

I lived on on a main road and it made me ill. However I love love love the sound of trains so each to their own. Go back and see what kind of mouse it is and whether you're ok with it.

theartfullodger

You get used to road or rail noise.  After a week you'll forget they're there.

Lived on a main road in the 1970s.  Couldn't sleep properly for two days then got used to it.

Carcy

Thanks everyone, we have decided to go back tomorrow and hang around outside the back of the house to listen to trams for a bit. The present owner has lived there ten years so I don’t think the tram bothered them much.

However we have found out as well that the house next door is a 6 bed HMO for young professionals (21-35). Quite possibly the neighbours will be louder than the trams! Although to be fair party people are more likely to be living in the city centre than a shared house in a quiet suburb of north Manchester! 

spinspiral

yes it is likely to put some future buyers off. They will be asking the same questions as you are now!

Cakeguts

I live some distance from a mainline railway and I have lived here for 30 years and I have never got used to it.  I still here every train when I am  in our garden.