Should You Buy A House On A Main Road?
Posted on: 30 August 2017
Many home buyers are specifically looking for homes on side streets, culs de sac, and dead ends. However, there are plenty of beautiful homes and real estate for sale on main roads, too, and if you have stumbled upon one that you like, you should not let its location deter you. What you should do, however, is sit down and list your personal pros and cons of living on a busier main road rather than a quieter street. Here are some common pros and cons to get you started.
Pro: Restaurants and activities are usually closer.
When you live on the main road, you do not need to drive to the main road in order to reach your destination. So, everything from restaurants, to schools, to local libraries tend to be closer and easier to reach. You may be able to walk there more easily, assuming the main road has sidewalks, without having to cross as many streets.
Pro: You may get the home for less.
The exact same home (with the same floor plan, appliances, yard, etc) will cost more in a side street than on a busy street -- in most cases. So, you can save yourself a little money by purchasing a home on a main road, or you can take this opportunity to get a little more bang for your buck. For instance, you may be able to afford a newer home built in the 1990s on a main road whereas you'd have to settle for a slightly outdated 1970s home on a side street.
Pro: Your street will be plowed first.
You'll be thankful for your location when winter comes! Most towns and cities plow the main roads first, so you'll be able to get out of your driveway before the people on the side streets and dead ends.
Con: Traffic is heavier and can present a danger.
You can't let your kids play in the front yard or in the street as you might on a dead end or low-traffic side street. You'll also need to keep a closer eye on pets so they don't wander into the busy main road.
Con: The location tends to be louder.
Since there is more going on, from traffic to people walking by, life on a main road tends to be noisier than life on a side street. You can keep your home a bit quieter with insulating curtains, but once you open the windows, the noise will flow in.
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