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Has anyone lived close to a commuter rail? Looking into buying a place next to a rail line (pretty close). The street has gates at the rail line crossing, and the house is around 200ft from it.
Thanks

prokeds · Joined: 18 Oct 2007 Posts: 5 Location: near Boston

I looked at a place a couple years ago that was near a line, and went back specifically to listen to a train go by with the windows open and closed. It was maybe 150-200 yards from the tracks, and the train was plenty loud, audible even with the windows closed. But it's over in 10 seconds. This place wasn't near a gate crossing, but I suspect the bell would be more bothersome than the whoosh of the train passing. Good luck!

john p · Joined: 10 Mar 2006 Posts: 1820

Jake: How often does the train go by?
Elwood: So often that you won't even notice it.

I lived across the street from a commuter rail stop for a long time. The only thing it bugged me about was that I missed a few jokes during Jay Leno's monologue when the late train rolled by. I would say Renting is ok near one, but I wouldn't buy. Think about having to sell the place down the line, and ask yourself, how many buyers will be looking at the time you want to sell and what percentage would buy a place in a location like that? In a down market, I'm sure that number would be very, very low. My guess is that you could get a real deal on a place like that, so the question would be what is the discount for that place relative to one that is out of earshot? Think about having kids and having that late train wake the baby up every night.

It was very, very convenient to have the stop right across the street, so some might find value in that. If it was a nice condo that you could sell to a professional without kids, I'm sure that the negatives wouldn't be as bad. It might be a positive for someone that doesn't want to put a lot of miles on a car or if you have to drive to the commuter rail stop, you have to pay for parking. One man's trash is another man's treasure. If the seller is wise and not desperate, they'll wait for the "right buyer". Also, if you get on the rush hour train in and the rush hour train out, you don't hear most of the trains because you're at work. The other thing is that along many commuter rail lines are industrial zones. If these zones have plans for transformation that is a future benefit provided it aligns with your timeframe of ownership.

Again, if you're in a chapter of your life where a condo near a train, I'd consider renting instead, especially when we're still in this down cycle. I wouldn't recommend buying unless you absolutely low-balled and were happy with the place and location for approx. 5 years. I would recommend buying now if you did low ball significantly because the only sellers out there are most likely desperate, or able to lowball on the other end of their transaction. When the "experts" say it is safe to go back in the water, I think the best buying opportunities will be over, unless we do fall into a deep recession. That risk is growing so I'd rent instead of buying a place near a commuter rail.

Guest · Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 9:47 pm GMT Post subject:

if Cars back up in front of the house, because of the train
you now have to smell the fumes

living near a traffic light is horrible

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john p · Joined: 10 Mar 2006 Posts: 1820

Wakefield is great, try Toody's. Get the ravioli, one meatball and a veal cutlet.

john p · Joined: 10 Mar 2006 Posts: 1820

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/459210

read the 3rd review and you'll understand how this relates to real estate and location, location, location:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/toodys-wakefield