The Pros and Cons of Living on a Busy Street

Our buyer's agent, Ana Linden, wrote this insightful article about the pros and cons of living on a busy street. 

The Pros and Cons of Living on a Busy Street
​By Ana Linden 

Quite often a fantastic house will sit on the market a little longer or a LOT longer because of its proximity to a busy, sometimes noisy street.

The negative aspects of living next to a busy street are pretty obvious: the traffic noise, the smell of exhaust, the noise of loud engines and emergency vehicles, the feeling that maybe you aren’t as safe, or maybe your kids aren’t as safe. It’s pretty much impossible to learn how to ride a bike on a busy roadway. And there is bound to be more foot and bicycle traffic which can only add to the fishbowl feeling. Furthermore it can sometimes be hard to leave your driveway if you’re on a blind corner or traffic is constant and fast. 

However, as a buyer you can get a LOT more for your money on a busy street. I have seen time and again houses sell for up to $150,000 less than they would if they just weren’t on the busy street. If you have a need for a larger house but can’t afford one in the neighborhood or school district that you want - be open to that perfect house on a busy street. 

There are reasons to live on a busy street (aside from getting so much more house for your money) that I have found (I live on a very busy road). 

1. If there is ice or snow - your street gets plowed first. If there is an emergency you will know before most and have better likelihood of finding out. 
2. Public Transit will most likely be much closer to you - which may come in handy for visitors, if not for you. 
3. It's easier for people to find your home including lyft and uber as well as pizza delivery, and your kid’s friend’s parents. 
4. It's easier for your kids to find home. And when my alzheimer’s grandpa couldn’t drive anymore he was able to walk to and from our house and never got lost. 
5. Your yard is a GREAT place for a political sign. Or any sign - or flag - whatever jiggles your jello. 
6. Your house is actually safer from being burgled - this is just a guess - but many people who live down long driveways or in quiet neighborhoods without much traffic are robbed and when you live on a busy street there are hundreds of witnesses and bound to be someone who wonders why there is someone there with a moving van!