M7 Motorway Backing Property

Lprodnus on 29/07/2021 - 23:20
Last edited 01/08/2021 - 00:18

We have found a house after much searching that ticks all the boxes – except one. It is located in a cul de sac, however it backs the 100km/h M7 motorway (40m from the backyard measured using Google Earth).

Inside the house it is not really noticeable in the daytime when we inspected but acknowledge it is not the best time to tell what it would really be like given the COVID-19 lockdown in NSW. Outside in the backyard it's like a gentle whooshing, except when loud motorbikes/modified cars go past or trucks use their exhaust brakes at the exit ramp approximately 1km away. The bedrooms are also located in the front part of the property which is a plus but I'm not sure if it would ultimately make much difference when trying to sleep (or stay asleep).

Has anyone lived in a similar location before and can share their experience? Am I crazy for considering this house?

Edit: Thank you everyone for your responses. Decided to not place an offer. A little depressing as it was the first place in a while that ticked all the boxes but this was the one caveat that is particularly bad as it can't be changed.

Home & Garden

Comments

  • SF3 on 29/07/2021 - 23:27
    +1

    Am I crazy for considering this house?

    Each to their own.

    Correlation between location+features and cost.

    • Seraphin7 on 30/07/2021 - 10:36

      Absolutely. What's the cost saving of this house vs. a similar one in the same neighbourhood, but more distant from the freeway??

      Obviously such close proximity to a freeway is undesirable in absolute terms, but if it enables the property "you want" to come into your budget it may be the right property for you.

    • [Deactivated] on 30/07/2021 - 06:29
      +12

      Lol what 😂

    • pjetson on 30/07/2021 - 10:52
      +6

      how many light aircraft have emergency landed on motorways

      I haven't been keeping up with this statistic. How many have there been?

      • MS Paint on 30/07/2021 - 11:08
        +7

        Within 59km of Sydney I'm going to guess 0

    • mr_fjackson on 31/07/2021 - 16:38
      +1

      Is this guy the world's best troll ?

      • Euphemistic on 31/07/2021 - 18:49

        Nope, but he’s up there.

  • kanmen on 29/07/2021 - 23:33
    +6

    I used to live approx 200m away from one, albeit not so close as what you're talking about but still close enough that I could hear mostly trucks and hoons if anything. I think over time you get used to it, as you would living near an airport, or having your house near any major road.

    Personally I found the traffic more noticeable adjusting to where I live now where my room is at the front of the house and I can hear every car that goes down my street.

    • bender000 on 31/07/2021 - 15:21

      200m is a metric shitload further away than 40m. That's fine. 40m (for a 100km freeway) would be a nightmare IMO

      • BartholemewH on 31/07/2021 - 22:55
        +1

        To be clear, 656 feet is also an imperial shit load further away than 131 feet.

        • getho on 01/08/2021 - 10:18

          😆

  • p1 ama on 30/07/2021 - 00:09
    +3

    I have in the past and didn't mind it. Couldn't hear anything inside the house (aside from when a truck goes past or horns), outside was definitely noticeable. However, I would say that overall the sound was much more similar to white noise than something like construction or people yelling or loudly talking which is actually distracting.

    If you want a point of comparison, it's similar to rain/wind. You notice it if you are looking for it, but it just blends into the background.

    As I always say, buying a property is a balance between different needs/wants. If you're happy to live with a trait that others find undesirable, then you'll be able to benefit from improvements elsewhere or a lower price. Simple really.

    • prodnus on 30/07/2021 - 09:23

      Thanks for first hand experience!

      • striker5950 on 01/08/2021 - 10:08

        think about re-sell value when you are long gone and your children want to sell it coz their significant other hates it and they cant get a good price for it, so they have to keep living there all because you settled for less.
        nah jk man its your call

  • katykat on 30/07/2021 - 00:54
    +3

    I've never lived next to a freeway, but I lived in a house that backed onto a train line when I was a child. You'd be surprised at the level of noise you can get used to and subconciously drown out once you've acclimated to it. My current house has a train line at the end of the street (about 300m away) and similarly I don't even hear the trains anymore. I'd imagine car noise would be similar. After a while, the general noise of the freeway will just be background noise and you won't even register it. Having said that, changes to the noise level like horns, or air brakes etc… will always be noticable and you won't always drown them out. I always hear goods trains because the noise they make is so different to passenger trains. It will be much more apparent at night as well so keep that in mind if you have kids or trouble sleeping yourself.

  • havebeerbelywillsumo on 30/07/2021 - 00:59
    +22

    Exhaust and tyre fallout/deposits would worry me more - oily sticky dust

    • SF3 on 30/07/2021 - 08:55

      Could be the reason why the real reason, the owner was selling…

      • prodnus on 30/07/2021 - 09:23

        Thanks, will look into the health effects aside from the noise

    • fantombloo on 30/07/2021 - 09:58
      +1

      I had a mate who lived on a main road. He'd have to keep his windows shut else the sills would collect a layer of dark dust every day.

      • p1 ama on 30/07/2021 - 11:54

        I currently do not live on a main road or near a main road, I don't even remember the last time I opened my windows.

    • pegasusx on 31/07/2021 - 14:47
      +1

      This is it. Even with a 8-10m high wall on the back of M5 at Kingsgrove. My friends house was constantly covered with a layer of thin black dust.
      Was not really sure if it was soot from petrol / diesel exhaust or rubber wear from tyres.

      i.e. This was back in the early 2000's so maybe ICE cards run cleaner now. Still i'd worry less about the noise and more about the air quality. deposits.

    • bb_hunter on 31/07/2021 - 21:54

      agree, pollution is a bigger problem especially M7 used by a lot of trucks

  • jjjaar on 30/07/2021 - 01:16
    -7

    Wait you can inspect properties in NSW during this mockdown?

    But yeah, traffic is probably crazy low that you don’t have an idea of what it’s like. 1km could = congestion and horns too. I wouldn’t risk it.

  • mskeggs on 30/07/2021 - 07:31

    Electric cars are much quieter. Maybe less of an issue in coming years?

    • lgacb08 on 30/07/2021 - 07:45
      +4

      Yes but electric truck is still a long way.

        • Kangal on 31/07/2021 - 17:51

          Remember that whilst eMotors are +90% efficient, compared to only 20-35% ICE so they're anywhere from x3-x5 more efficient. Yet, their energy source requires larger area and more weight compared to traditional fuels, in a factor of around x60-x120. So ICE still has an advantage of x12-x40 over electric solutions.

          So when talking about which vehicle conversions would be the easiest, it's firstly about the range, then it is about the weight/performance. In my opinion, order of most likely to least likely:

          eSkateboard, eScooter (low range, low performance)
          eBicycle, eSki (low range, medium performance)
          eBoat (high range, medium performance)
          eHatch (medium range, high performance)
          eBike (long range, low performance)
          eUte (long range, high performance)
          ePlane (medium range, extreme performance)
          eAirliner, eChopper (long range, extreme performance)
          eJet (hardest conversion)

    • dirtybigbjelke on 30/07/2021 - 10:57
      +1

      It's tyre noise not engine noise. It's much noisier when it rains you can be kept awake at night by the noise of the tyres on the wet road.

    • hunterhalo on 31/07/2021 - 16:33
      +1

      Uh no, the majority of noises actually come tyres, not the engine itself unless they have fart can

  • SmiTTy on 30/07/2021 - 08:18
    +5

    I'd stay away due to dust and exhaust.

  • Ryanek on 30/07/2021 - 09:25
    +7

    I have tinnitus so this sounds like a dream property for me.

    If you're looking at places like Elizabeth Hills, or Middleton Grange ie. fairly new neighborhoods I suggest you take a look at their Facebook groups. You can get some pretty good insight there.

    • BartholemewH on 31/07/2021 - 22:59

      Me too. I guess statistically there's a few of us around.

  • AutomationGuy on 30/07/2021 - 09:49
    +1

    Sound travels further in cold weather, so now is the right time to check. I would be going in the early evening and stand on the street and see how loud it is. I live ~300m away at a guess, and in summer I can barely hear it at all, but in winter it is noticeable.

    I'm not sure I would personally though. Depends on how good value it is I guess.

  • brad1-8tsi on 30/07/2021 - 09:54
    +9

    Don't do do it.

    You will be subject to a lot more pollution, especially heavy particulates. Even without the health concerns the level of dust that will be in your house and yard will be far beyond what you are used to.

  • steff on 30/07/2021 - 10:22

    The price would reflect the location, whether you're buying tomorrow or selling in 10 years. If you're thinking about noise/dust, so will the buyers when you decide to sell.

    I personally wouldn't but I know people who have and it doesn't bother them that much. Your circumstances may be different and you will get used to it, but again the price would need to reflect this.

  • JimB on 30/07/2021 - 10:37

    Could you afford a house in the same area further away from the freeway?

  • clearview on 30/07/2021 - 10:42

    In summary, you've to balance how much you can can save purchasing that property vs similar properties in that neighborhood.

    If you think there isn't significant savings then stay away.

  • dirtybigbjelke on 30/07/2021 - 10:55
    +2

    Will be noisy especially when it rains. You will not be able to open a window for fresh air without being bothered by the noise. The dust will be incredible mainly from rubber dust from tyres. Source I used to live here in my early 20's

    https://goo.gl/maps/WwY4ezJ9CMAfXwUj8

    I would not do it.

  • vineetb4u on 30/07/2021 - 11:11
    +1

    I am living in street backing property. There is noise even with normal cars. You have to spend dollars for making your house noise proof.
    Other problem is dust unless you dont want to open windows for fresh air. But I think clean air next to a busy street/motorway is a myth. We have to vaccum every day and clean every hard surface like furniture and appliances every alternate day.
    Now our main criteria now for next house is is inner suburb house away from busy street.

  • bmxr on 30/07/2021 - 11:20

    We rented a place about 50m from the Warringah Freeway near Falcon Street where it is a 17 lane wide road and lots of stop start in the AM peak and traffic lights. It is really just a dull background hum that you get used to very quickly and don't notice after a while. We didn't have air conditioning so the windows were open for 8 months of the year.

    That being said, the M7 is also designed to be widened (extra lanes in the median) and considered a residential interface in the required buffers to ameliorate noise and particulate matter pollution.

    I also lived under the flight path for Sydney Airport and after a couple of months of waking at 6:01am every morning as the DHL Freight Plane landed, you get used to that too!

    But as others have said, if you are asking thi question, would prospective buyers of your house ask the same in the future?

    • prodnus on 30/07/2021 - 11:29

      Appreciate sharing of similar first hand experience. You're right… There will always be a discount if we bought and ever decided to sell. Would only be to downsize in the future.

  • WreckTangle on 30/07/2021 - 11:21
    +1

    Looked at a property near freeway once…even went to the area at night to check. Constant background noise and the regular droning of truck engine brakes. Lost interest in the property after that.

  • TheBilly on 30/07/2021 - 13:03
    +1

    owever it backs the 100km/h M7 motorway (40m from the backyard measured using Google Earth)

    If you have access to the cycle way and you are a cyclist that would be fantastic

  • Euphemistic on 30/07/2021 - 16:42

    It’s one of those things. You can get used to it, but only if you don’t let it annoy you. We moved to a house on a hill and get more traffic noise than before, but the benefits of this house certainly outweigh the extra quiet of the last house. The extra traffic noise doesn’t bother me so I don’t notice it much.

    Is the pollution going to be significantly worse than a bit further away? (I don’t know, just posing the question). Gases and fumes don’t magically disappear after xxx metres. Just look at the smog that envelopes the entire city after a few still days.

    Wind would certainly make a difference. If the house is upwind of the predominant direction it’d be a lot better than downwind. Eg if you are east of the road and the predominant wind is westerly you’ll cop a lot more pollution.

  • Logical on 31/07/2021 - 14:00
    +1

    Avoid if you can due to the the pollution and soot. A friend lived in such a position and could never use their backyard as their outdoor setting was always covered in pollution/ soot from tyres and engine combustion. Their fly screens clogged up rather quickly too. He got out of there pronto.

  • ribze1 on 31/07/2021 - 14:13
    +1

    I live in the middle of an apartment block that backs on to Centenary Drive. The traffic noise is barely noticeable with the windows closed, but in summer with the windows open at night you do notice it.

    In the bedroom at night when there's no other noise in the house you can hear the traffic but i'm used to it now.

    My main issue is the pollution, everything on my balcony gets caked in carbon. When i sweep the floor you can smell the exhaust fumes as some of it kicks in to the air.

  • GuitarXXX on 31/07/2021 - 14:56
    +2

    I lived in a house 20m from motorway and I was having trouble in sleeping during that whole time. Very noisy. Extra 20m will sure make it better but depends on how you think the noise is.

    Best to go at night and just stay there for 15-20 minutes to experience it.

    Also, I noticed agents tend to play loud music and shut all windows during visiting time for these houses to minimise the noise impact for potential buyers. If you notice this you should give it another thought and visit without music / windows open.

    Good luck in your search.

  • IamEzza on 31/07/2021 - 15:20
    +2

    It's actually way better than living near a busy main road.
    Unless you are near a bottleneck the traffic on the freeway is always moving at a constant speed and not really accelerating or braking. Because of that they don't make as much engine noise or put out as much pollution. Compared to say a main road with traffic lights you get all the vehicles constantly stopping and accelerating away again, which is way more intrusive.

  • Maglia Nera on 31/07/2021 - 15:27

    at least you could on-sell the property as "close to transport"

  • Apple10 on 31/07/2021 - 16:34
    +1

    I would strongly recommend to avoid it since you still have the choice. It is worth travelling a bit further instead of living close to freeway 24/7.
    I used to live in an apartment on level 3 about 20m from main road. The balcony is unusable due to the dust and pollution from the road. Not to mention the noise. I had to keep my windows shut most of the time to reduce noise and prevent dust flying inside.
    I assume many of the houses there had been built before the freeway was constructed so they had no choice.
    Again it is the dust and pollution that are the main problems.

  • hunterhalo on 31/07/2021 - 16:35
    +1

    Dont do it mate, i think last year, some Karen boutht a similar house near westgate i think then complain to current affairs about the agent did not tell her about the freeway. I mean the house literally next to the freeway and you cant see??

  • frostman on 31/07/2021 - 17:05

    Dont forget the soot falling onto your clothes outside overtime

  • clintmo on 31/07/2021 - 17:16
    +1

    Just be aware it will be way louder with a wet road and the tyre noise.

  • Mistredo on 31/07/2021 - 18:46
    +1

    The place I am living faces a busy freeway, and I can say you can get used to it, and I say this as somebody who is sensitive to noise. The noise from the road is constant humming, so it is not disruptive. I am more annoyed by loud neighbors.

    Don't forget every place comes with negatives, so you need to look at what positives it gives you that you wouldn't have elsewhere.

    It also depends on your lifestyle. How much time you will be at home, and if you like to sit on a balcony or a porch. If you work from home, and you want to spend all your time outside you will be impacted a lot.

  • berger on 31/07/2021 - 20:04

    make sure you complain about the freeway after buying the property.

    Just like buying a house next to a pub and annoyed by the noise 🤦‍♂️

  • Maxxjet on 31/07/2021 - 21:37
    +1

    It really depends on your noise tolerance level. I am a light sleeper meaning the slightest noise(especially traffic) and lights will keep me awake. So when we were buying our current property, I was happy to pay a premium for a very quiet location. A good light sleep worths the premium to me totally. But again, it depends on really your personal noise tolerance level.

  • Philthy on 31/07/2021 - 21:41
    +1

    theres always the proability that itll get expanded/widened.. let alone the noise

  • JohnB100 on 31/07/2021 - 23:07

    Pollution will reduce your life expectancy by couple of years. Worth the trade off?

  • CocaKoala on 01/08/2021 - 00:05

    I wouldn't buy something like that.

  • drprox on 01/08/2021 - 08:07

    My previous house was about twice that distance I'd guess (not at PC to measure) from a freeway and fairly close to an onramp. I lived there happily for 7 years. I do think the freeway fell away a bit so say below my house level and there was a large 2 story warehouse on the back of my house but it was much as you described. Sort've a light whooshing all the time which was a bit louder with a stiff northerly. And did hear the occasional fully sick boi with the exxhaust works done.

  • berry580 on 01/08/2021 - 09:23

    Double glazed window would do a treat.
    In this world, everything is about $$$$

  • KLoNe on 01/08/2021 - 09:44

    Offer them $300k less. That place is worthless.

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