Lake Forest House with I-94 in backyard (Naperville, Downers Grove: houses, buying)

[MomtoMal]

Would anyone consider buying a really nice updated home in Lake Forest even if it backs up to I-94? Just curious because I have been looking at homes in Lake Forest and Libertyville, and I came across this one house. It is on over a 1/2 acre, but I don't know if that is even worth it if you have cars whizzing by all day.

[Loves mountains]

The omnipresent noise would be the issue for me!!

[Rlest8]

Location, location, location! Don't do it. There is so much inventory in those areas now why compromise? Plus it could be difficult to unload later on.

[MomtoMal]

That's what my gut tells me. I guess I just wanted confirmation. Thank you so much for the responses. I appreciate your help.

[pvande55]

I am surprised the Tollway has not put up sound fences there. They probably will eventually.

[SmallWorldAfterAll]

The last time I house-hunted I immediately took houses off my list when I could hear cars going by. Unless everything else was wonderful and/or you don't ever intend to sell, I'd steer clear...

[cohdane]

A study was just released yesterday that said those who live near big roads contributes to arteries hardening:

PLoS ONE: Ambient Air Pollution and the Progression of Atherosclerosis in Adults

Look it up in the news for a more mainstream explanation.

Also causes more heart problems and asthma in kids:

Kids at schools close to busy roads breathe more pollution - Salt Lake Tribune

Lastly, resale would all depend on price. No matter how beautiful it is, proximity to a road that big makes it a deal killer. Only way to overcome the noise is to try to convince yourself it's the ocean.

[MomtoMal]

Thanks everyone for the responses. I think I will steer clear.

[JohnPF]

On the plus side, you would be able to fly your helicopter from your property despite that suburbs ban, just because of your proximity to the highway.
I knew a guy living close to the highway off rte 60- he could do so and he found natural gas on his property. Estimated 25 years supply that came in handy as his (1990's) outdoor swimming pool water heating bill was around $3500 a month...

[chet everett]

I have to inject a bit of reality here. I have personally sold a few home that back up to 294, one to my own uncle, so the "big picture" really is a question of "what & where".

If you want / need to live in a certain area because of schools or other ties to an area then you really have a whole different perspective of why some areas that seem to have a large negative are desirable. The smart developers / builders know enough to plat out the areas that they put in after the tollway is there, and savvy home owners that are stuck too close to the tollways have done a lot to make their properties a viable option by comparing the value that they can offer vs other homes.

As the OP says the LF home on over a 1/2 an acre it would be smart to factor that into the comparison -- if other homes are on smaller lots or a similar sized lot is significantly more expensive than that very well COULD represent value to many buyers.

I know that many many homes in desirable parts of northern IL are close to the tollways -- Burr Ridge, Hinsdale, Western Springs, Oak Brook, Elmhurst, Naperville, Downers Grove, Green Oaks, Northbrook, Libertyville, Lake Forest and other towns generally have considerable distance between the road surface and the homes. Berms and sound walls are common. The issues of living in such a property are almost certainly not the same as the studies cited above...