Trains in Dekalb/Decatur (Atlanta: how much, houses, buyers)

[homeshopper]

I am looking to buy a house in the Sagamore Hills area in unincorporated Dekalb. There are a few great houses that are quite close to the train tracks. How much does this bother residents? And does this seem to affect property value? It seems like train tracks are all over in the area, so it may be hard to avoid....

[plessthanpointohfive]

I grew up near train tracks so I might be biased but....I kind of like it. I like hearing the night train pass. Unless the house you choose is right at a crossing you probably won't have to deal with any horns, or perhaps only distant...and forlorn...too me it's kind of romantic.

I live by tracks now. In fact I live by both MARTA and diesel. MARTA is noisier because I live in front the station and I can hear the breaks.

But truthfully, I rarely notice it now.

Welcome to Terminus!

[George Chong]

I use to live across the street from the Inman Park MARTA station and the freight train on DeKalb Avenue probably not far from pless. When I first moved there I thought I made a mistake especially when the heard the first freight train hook-up its caboose! After living there for a while, I never really noticed the noise. However, after I loved about 5 blocks away - it sure was quite!

I had a listing just outside of Decatur (City). It was a historic 4 square built in the early 1900's and was beautifully renovated and literally right across the street from the same train line. I learned that in Victorian times that the wealthy built their homes along train lines to show off their wealth. When the train came by - you knew that the train was a comin'!

In terms of resale with a house close to train tracks - I tell all my Buyers to follow this rule, if you have an objection to something in the house so will the next Buyer to come along and purchase your home in the future. Cosmetic things can be rectified - location cannot.

So, in my opinion, the train tracks do effect the resale of a home.

[plessthanpointohfive]

Yep. I live right in front the CP station on McLendon. The noisiest thing for me is the bikers in the spring and summer roaring down McLendon to go to The Vortex...noiser than the trains...

[ktloo]

I live in Leafmore, just across Lavista from Sagamore. I don't notice the train at all, and it runs just south of our subdivision. I actually WISH I heard the train more. I also find it romantic...forlorn...someone out there is "movin on"...

That said, it's good to keep at least a street or two away from any active train crossing in Atlanta if you don't want the train to bug you too much.

[cmtiger]

We live in Decatur and the train really bugged me when we first moved in. It would wake me up at night. I'm a fussy sleeper though - my husband slept right through it. After about a month, I didn't wake up at all though. I have grown to really love the train sound. I find it homey and sort of romantic too. It serves as a reminder that it's a great big world out there and my so called problems are a very small part of it.

I know.... I'm a freak.