Your home & the LIRR

Anyone live near the railroad...not just near but next to? We saw a house we loved but the RR literally is right behind it....like house, backyard, fence, train tracks. So don't know if this is a dealbreaker or not.

Anyone have a home near the RR that can tell me how or if it impacts you?

Re: Your home & the LIRR

My mom's house is 2 blocks away from the elevated RR tracks. When we first moved in I used to hear it all the time, but after a while you learn to tune it out. Being on the elevated line they rarely blow the whistle. If you were near a ground crossing and they were sounding the whistle I don't see how you could learn to live with it.

Re: Your home & the LIRR

we live close to the tracks that we can hear the disel trains but not close enough to see them....not sure if I would want to be that close

Re: Your home & the LIRR

My parents' first house was exactly like that. We lived there for 5 years, I was very little while we were there, we moved the summer I was going into 1st grade, so I don't remember much, but from what they tell me and what I can remember, you just get so used to the sounds you don't hear it anymore.

However, they did have a tough time when it came time to sell, so you might want to keep that in mind.

Re: Your home & the LIRR

I don't know if I would want the LIRR running right behind my house. Unless, it was on a line that doesn't run all the time. For example, east of Babylon or Ronkonkoma. It would bother me on summer evenings (when I would like to enjoy my backyard) if every 10 minutes a train was coming by but if it was only once every 1 hour or 2 that wouldn't be as bad.

Re: Your home & the LIRR

Growing up we lived down the block from the RR tracks. I never heard it unless I was listening for it. (My dad took the 620 train home.) My parents sold the house about 3 years ago and it was on the market for 1 week.

Re: Your home & the LIRR

We considered some too but they were very large plots and had one block between them and the train tracks. Elevated tracks also.

One thing we're looking for is peace & quiet. We live under the approach to Kennedy and although we're used to it, it is a PITA when the windows are open and we're trying to watch tv.

So we're not considering anything too close. I know someone who lives right off Railroad Ave in Bayport and every time the train went by her house we noticed.

Her house is gorgeous and the plot is large but I don't think they're going to have an easy time when they try to sell.

Re: Your home & the LIRR

Down the block, I wouldn't mind - I actually like hearing the train.

In my backyard, that would be (and was - we saw 2 houses like that in our search) a dealbreaker for me. Way too much pollution - noise and smell - for my liking.

Re: Your home & the LIRR

Re: Your home & the LIRR

I honestly don't know if it would bother me that much.

Is it wooded so you don't see the train?

I think it would depend how much I loved the house / neighborhood.

You should go stalk the house and listen a little while to see how often the train comes and how loud it really is.

Also, sometimes it is preferable to have a train, (or a road, woods, shopping plaza, etc.) behind you than neighbors

Good luck!!!!!!

Re: Your home & the LIRR

We actually did scout it out last night....and the train came by like every 10 minutes...wasn't loud...and this was during peak time

The house is huge, affordable in a very good school district and a beautiful neighborhood.

I just don't know

Re: Your home & the LIRR

A good friend of mine has the tracks in his backyard in East Williston on Bengeyfield drive, the back yard is very deep and there are a row of trees to buffer the noise; the trains are not very often (Oyster Bay Line, Diesel) on weekends.
In this situation it would not bother me.... good savings on the property for the minimum annoyance....

Message edited 8/15/2007 4:38:59 PM.

Re: Your home & the LIRR

we are a few blocks from the tracks and it doesnt bother us at all..

but behind the tracks, i dont know if i would purchase a house where the tracks are right behind you.
it would be really hard for re sale!

Re: Your home & the LIRR

Depends on what town....they are trying to widen the LIRR and some houses will be forced to sell for assessed value and torn down.

So that is a huge concern.

Re: Your home & the LIRR

we live around the block from the LIRR... it's a slower station, but it's still there. honestly, you get used to it... and if you LOVED everything about a house otherwise, then i wouldn't let it be a dealbreaker.

Re: Your home & the LIRR

deal breaker for what you have described.

Re: Your home & the LIRR

yeah, I actually refused to see a home that we'd otherwise consider becuase it was within a block of the tracks....

remember, location is everything... all other property features you can change later

Re: Your home & the LIRR

I lived about four houses away from the RR when I was a kid. It was never a problem and we were all very used to it. With that said though, I do not think I would want to live directly behind the RR.

Re: Your home & the LIRR

My Aunts house backed up to the LIR. When I was living there I heard it at first but then I got used to it and it never bothered me.

Re: Your home & the LIRR

I'd do a little research into LIRR expansion plans. My parents live in Floral Park and the entire town is fighting the LIRR over a proposed expansion that could lead to the demolition of something like 80 houses (houses are primarily in New Hyde Park, Stewart Manor, Mineola, I believe.)

A lot of people in Floral Park are trying to sell their homes that are right up against the tracks because they just dont know what will happen and they want to get out now.

This may not be the case at all with the house you're looking at - but it's worth looking into.

Re: Your home & the LIRR

I was obsessed with a house in Farmingdale when we were looking - and the train literally ran through the backyard. I cried when my family convinced me not to take it. It was brand new - just built and totally affordable (bc of the tracks)

I look back now and thank god that I didn't buy the house - especially now with a baby. I think that with little kids you will always worry about the train. I also know that entertaining in the backyard would be a complete nightmare.

It wasn't that busy of a train line either. These were some of the points that were brought up to me and looking back we def. made a great decision.

Also - if you are thinking that you may sell this house - and not live there forever - you will have an EXTREMELY hard time selling it.

Hope that helps a little!

Re: Your home & the LIRR

We live in a house that the LIRR runs next to. We are the corner house. The only thing that seperates us from the tracks is an avenue and a grass median.

At first it took some getting used to, the noise. We have no windows on that side of the house, so that helps too!

We loved the house and the property, so we figured we would try it and see.

I am not sure if i would want the tracks behind my house, may be a lil loud when outside, and for safety reasons, if i had kids. My pool and yard that we use most are on the other side of the house so it is not bad at all.

It is the Ronkonkoma line and the only times trains pass is rush hour and maybe one an hour off peak.

hope that helps! What town are you looking in?

Re: Your home & the LIRR

Message edited 8/15/2007 9:20:27 PM.

Re: Your home & the LIRR

Re: Your home & the LIRR

Posted by Diana1215

I was obsessed with a house in Farmingdale when we were looking - and the train literally ran through the backyard. I cried when my family convinced me not to take it. It was brand new - just built and totally affordable (bc of the tracks)

I look back now and thank god that I didn't buy the house - especially now with a baby. I think that with little kids you will always worry about the train. I also know that entertaining in the backyard would be a complete nightmare.

It wasn't that busy of a train line either. These were some of the points that were brought up to me and looking back we def. made a great decision.

Also - if you are thinking that you may sell this house - and not live there forever - you will have an EXTREMELY hard time selling it.

Hope that helps a little!

Message edited 8/15/2007 8:49:45 PM.