how close is too close to a main road (Nassau: apartment, houses)

[djdairyp]

After living in an apartment once that was on a main road, I quickly realized I would never buy a house on one. Sitting in the living room listening to cars go buy was no fun, trucks and rain time were especially interesting as it was that much louder.

My question is, for those with experience in this matter, how far from the road do you think you need to be to avoid this. I imagine the first and even second house on a side street near a main road hears the noise. Its hard to tell without actually living in a specific area for a little while.

[Elke Mariotti]

Originally Posted by djdairyp

After living in an apartment once that was on a main road, I quickly realized I would never buy a house on one. Sitting in the living room listening to cars go buy was no fun, trucks and rain time were especially interesting as it was that much louder.

My question is, for those with experience in this matter, how far from the road do you think you need to be to avoid this. I imagine the first and even second house on a side street near a main road hears the noise. Its hard to tell without actually living in a specific area for a little while.

It can depend on your hearing but also on possible planting buffers. And then there is the size of the property, the set back from the street you're on and what's around you.

Short answer: it depends

[twingles]

We are two houses in from a main road, but the speed limit is 30 mph, and the traffic is only heavy during rush hours. It's not been a problem for us. A busier road with constant traffic might be more bothersome.

We live on about .13 acre, typical Nassau County parcel.

[Elke Mariotti]

Originally Posted by twingles

We are two houses in from a main road, but the speed limit is 30 mph, and the traffic is only heavy during rush hours. It's not been a problem for us. A busier road with constant traffic might be more bothersome.

We live on about .13 acre, typical Nassau County parcel.

Great example

[sickofnyc99]

I'm three blocks south of montauk and I hear NOTHING.

[Elke Mariotti]

Originally Posted by sickofnyc99

I'm three blocks south of montauk and I hear NOTHING.

That makes perfect sense
But three houses in off Montauk could be different...

[boomvang]

I would also consider whether there is a stop light/sign near the house, as well as speed limits. We fell in love with a B&B in Vermont that was just perfect in every way, with the exception of its' location, at a busy (for Vermont) intersection. The porch was unusable almost anytime because of the constant sound of cars and trucks accelerating. The house we purchased in upstate NY is on a 55 mph road, with very little traffic. That said, I would not be happy if there was much more traffic as the noise of the faster traffic can be obtrusive.

[Elke Mariotti]

Originally Posted by boomvang

I would also consider whether there is a stop light/sign near the house, as well as speed limits.

Excellent point!

[rf22777]

Our village put in a s.s. about .... 10 years ago? There had been an accident where someone came around a curve too fast and ended up on our neighbor's lawn (yikes) - the s.s. does serve to slow the traffic. Also, my street forms a "T" with the busy road (which is only one lane in each direction) so there is not a 4 way stop there. Honestly, we didn't even give it a thought when we bought but we knew the neighborhood pretty well anyway.

-twingles

[twingles]

sorry that is me in pp!