NWR: Buying house near train tracks

We used to live about 20-30 yards from tracks and they blew the horn right by our house because of the intersection. After a couple weeks we got used to it and just paused tv when they went by, especially if the windows were open. I'm a pretty light sleeper and even learned to sleep through them though!!!

As far as the property value, I wouldn't really worry too much about it. The loss in value from being near the train has already happened. The train is already there. If you buy the house, it will be for less than a similar house with no train tracks, so the investment is lower. Sure you'll get less if you sell than a house without tracks, but if you pay less, then you would probably come about about the same in the end.

It's not like you bought a house and then train tracks were put in afterward.

As to the sound, that seems very personal. I couldn't deal with it, but obviously plenty of people live by train tracks and are just fine.

If you decide to go for it, I would make sure the price you offer takes into account the train tracks.

It's less of a big deal than you think. After a while, you totally don't notice it. My FH's grandparents have 11 acres directly next to train tracks, and the trains are loud but really don't impede on life at all.

ETA- It's usually cheaper to live near them, which can be worth it, but if you're hoping the value of the property will appreciate, it may not just due to location. Something to keep in mind!

I used to live in an apartment right beside train tracks. At first I thought "oh great this is going to be so annoying" but it ended up not being that bad. A train only came through a couple times a day and after a while we got used to it and it wasn't a big deal!

I grew up in a house with train tracks behind it, you get used to the sound and it just becomes normal to you. I could sleep right through the whole train. Trains would come 4-5 a day.

This is going to come down to you personally.

There is a difference between freight train noise (loud, heavy train that is long but infrequent) and a commuter train (mostly during rush hours, and they blow a horn often), and some rails are shared between the two.

Like others have said, it also depends on location. My mom lived in a 6 story condo about a mile away from freight tracks, and I was always woken in the middle of the night. The sound carried up and was very loud. I currently live about a mile away from commuter tracks and sometimes hear the horns, but never enough to wake me up.

IMO, unless you are a commuter and want to live close for ease of train access, I would be as far away from any train tracks as possible. There are plenty of homes out there and it's not worth the risk.

ETA: It also depends what is across the tracks. Are you going to need to get to the other side often? Freight trains will stop you for a long time, so if you're almost home and have to pee that can be annoying. Commuter trains will stop you frequently, so you would always want to add in some travel time to account for possibly being stopped right there.

I grew up with tracks in my back yard. I loved it. It wasn't super active, we got trains twice a day at noon and midnight. When I moved into my first apartment it was so oddly quiet I had to leave the tv on to sleep. You get used to it! I would agree with seeing how active the tracks are though. Also consider if backed up traffic will block your driveway.

We live really close to train tracks and the train is very active like 10 trains an hour or something, I don't notice it anymore. We also live on a relatively busy road, it all has become white noise.

Funny story:

I grew up with train tracks across the street. After awhile we got use to the shaking and sound and could tune them out. One day, in 1989, we were watching tv and the house began to shake. We sat there thinking it was the train. My mom looked out the window and realized since there wasn't a train, it was an earthquake. It was the Loma Prieta earthquake (6.9) and we sat through the whole thing on the couch.

We live near the train tracks too. I actually like it cause it reminds me of the house/neighborhood I grew up in. The sound makes it feel a bit country lol. Also, the city is currently working on moving the train tracks below ground (not covered). This will probably help with the sound a little, but the sound doesn't really bother me. When they are done with the move it will improve street traffic, no more stopping for the train.

I would not buy it because you will have a hard time reselling it.

I have to cross railroad tracks to get into my neighborhood, it's fine. I would definitely figure out what times the trains go by. The trains near me used to come by at all hours of the day, but have recently changed to times when we're it there or are asleep. You really get used to it.

Since I work in the city- I love being by the train for travel purposes. We lived right by the tracks not too long ago and it was nice because I only had to walk to catch the train for a 10 min ride into the city. You get use to the noises. However we did just move to the burbs and finding the quiet atmosphere to be an adjustment now. ha...so you learn to adapt to your surroundings. I actually miss living by a train.

I would avoid that house at all costs. Resale will be a problem and I would hate being that close. I work right next to train tracks and the building shakes when they pass and it's loud

But mostly I would avoid it because of resale issues

There are train tracks right behind my house. They're hidden by trees for the most part so no eye sore. The noise doesn't bother me at all. The last train is like 11:05 pm- I'm usually asleep by then and it doesn't wake me up. It's only kind of loud when we're sitting out in the backyard.

The vibration would drive me nuts. I'd also worry about children and pets. We're set back pretty far from a road, but it's still busy and it took the former owners a longggggg time to sell it.

I wouldn't do it. There will be other houses. Plus, if you want to sell it later, it will be difficult.

I do. I live 2 blocks south of a really busy track (LIRR)

Honestly, I'm so used to it that I almost never hear it. Every once in a while a train will go by and I'm like "oh, right!"

Edit -I rent my place. I'm not sure if it's something I'd seek out to purchase , but it hasn't been an intrusion in our lives.

I think the Clang Clang Clang from the crossing arm would get to me more than the train itself. My driveway being blocked would really make me mad..lol

My office is next door to a train station. Honestly, to not bad. I'd take that over being close to a highway and constantly hearing noise.