When choosing a place to live, location is a significant consideration. Some prefer quiet neighborhoods with well-maintained houses and cute white fences, while others prefer living in the city’s heart, where all the action happens.

 

But what about living near a highway? We could pretty much say it’s somewhere in between. You could have your dream house isolated from curious eyes but at the same time within easy reach of the city’s main attractions. Yes, I know what you think. One of the first things that crosses everyone’s mind when thinking of highway living is the noise and pollution. But the truth is there are ways to fight these inconveniences. You could consider using a vegetation barrier or investing in quality air purifiers.

 

The misconceptions and realities about living next to a highway will give you a better perspective of living in such a place, but seeing beneath the surface is essential. This article aims to provide you with both perspectives: the advantages and disadvantages of living near a highway so that you can weigh all factors if considering highway living.

 

Disadvantages of living near a highway

To end this article on a positive note, we will start listing the disadvantages of living near a highway. It might surprise you, but the list is not that long, and from my point of view, these cons are not a deal breaker.

Noise and pollution

You might have guessed that noise and pollution are the biggest cons of living near a highway. Let’s start with the noise. For many, having their peace of mind and tranquility is a must. Especially after those 9-5 dreadful hours, coming home to a quiet and serene environment is something most people long for. The last thing they want is to hear that constant hum that fills the air next to the highways. But there are ways to isolate this problem. Consider installing double-pane windows, and use heavy curtains or soundproofing materials to reduce noise infiltration into your home.

 

Now, let’s talk about pollution, which raises serious health concerns for many. Car emissions found on main roads contain different types of pollutants that can harm a person’s health. Studies have shown that people living within less than 50-100 miles of highways are more exposed to these pollutants than the rest of the community.

 

To reduce noise and pollution, plant trees, bushes, and shrubs to act as a natural barrier. Greenery can also help absorb pollutants and improve air quality.

Landlocked issues

Although most destinations near your location are easily accessible via highways, they make it more challenging to locate the correct exit leading to your home’s road. Either you will have to find an exit from the highway far in advance of your home so that you may take the service road back to your residence, or you will have to leave the highway early to find a different route that leads to your residence.

Safety concerns

Other disadvantages of living near a highway are safety concerns. Most families with children avoid living in such places because they think they are less safe. It’s no wonder, considering how many Hollywood movies portray highways as places where you can easily get mugged and the thief gets away with it. When investing in a property near a main road, you should take into consideration this aspect as it might affect the property value.

 

On the one hand, you might score a more affordable property when buying, but if you’re not planning to live there for long and want to sell it after a while, you may not get any profit at all. Also, selling it fast might be challenging, as properties near highways tend to stay on the market longer.

 

Advantages of living near a highway

Now that we’ve addressed the elephant in the room, it’s time to take a look at the bright side. Despite the disadvantages, there are many pros to living next to a main road. It’s up to you if the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

 

Affordability

Because noise, pollution, and safety are major red flags for many, properties near highways tend to be more affordable. It’s not always the case, but chances are you will score a great deal if you do your research. According to a report by Mark Ferguson of InvestFourMore, a house near a busy street can be up to 20% cheaper than a similar property in a quieter neighborhood.

 

Also, having a knowledgeable real estate agent by your side will help you find the best property that suits your needs and give you valuable advice about overcoming the disadvantages of living near a highway.

Accessibility

Living next to a main road also means easy access to essential services such as hospitals, schools, grocery stores, etc. Besides that, if you commute to work, chances are you will save more time on the commute. If you have friends or family living in other parts of the state or country, you can visit them more frequently, as you can easily hop on your car and hit the road.

 

This accessibility can save you a lot of time, and you can focus on other parts of your life that genuinely matter more than being stuck in traffic.

Future developments

Everywhere a highway is built, development soon follows. As you may have seen, few residences near the recently built highway are visible. However, a few months later, new city fixtures are beginning to invade the suburban lifestyle in the commercial district near the main road, where shops and stores are taking shape.

 

While some may find it fascinating to watch the future materialize before their eyes, others who had invested in the area hoping to lead quiet, peaceful lives may view it negatively.

Highways bring more businesses

Highways refer to the constant flow of traffic, which increases the visibility of those seeking investment-grade real estate. Highways facilitate the expansion of large cities, allowing businesses previously unable to finance their real estate investments in inner cities to focus on the next best thing: roadside property. This means more job opportunities and a more stable future for those living near the highways.

 

Conclusion

To sum up, living near a highway or main road can be a haven for some people and a headache for others. When looking for a new place to live, it’s essential to consider both the advantages and disadvantages of that place. Will you be able to overcome the disadvantages? For me, living near a highway wouldn’t be a haven precisely, but it would be a smart choice based on my own preferences. I would enjoy the freedom of movement highway living would provide me and the thought that I would have all the essential services within easy reach. Also, with some elbow grease and ingenuity, I think some disadvantages can be diminished so that you can enjoy the best of highway living. But this is just my own preference. What about you? Would you consider living near a highway or main road?