The surprising reasons you might want to live in these "undesirable" locations

While you might have heard horror stories about living near a cell phone tower or an airport, have you ever needed super-fast service or had to catch a last-minute flight? Sure, there can be downsides to these areas, but are they worth it if you can get a better deal on a house or a shorter work commute?

If you’re looking to buy a home in what some might consider an “undesirable” location, do your own research before making a big decision. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of living in the following locations so you can better understand what they have to offer.

The pros and cons of living near train tracks

Pros

If you don’t mind a little extra noise, living near train tracks could significantly benefit your morning commute. Being close enough to walk or get dropped off at a train station could easily allow you to take a train to work and eliminate the need for a second car.

Close proximity to a train station could be especially beneficial for someone who lives in a suburb of a big city like Chicago, Los Angeles or New York City, or in states that are known for their traffic, such as California, New Jersey or Florida.

Another benefit to living near train tracks might be that it’s less popular, which could result in a better deal. Less desirable areas are known for their affordability, which can be attractive to first-time home buyers. However, this isn’t always the case.

Cons

If you don’t see yourself taking the train very often, the noise might not be worth it. If you’re worried that loud sounds might be a deterrent, check your local railways to see how frequently trains pass by.

You should also check to see if the train tracks are fenced in or not. Not all railways are fenced in, so make sure to take extra precautions if you have young kids.

The pros and cons of living near a highway

Pros

Deciding where to live can be difficult and if you find the perfect new home by a highway or busy main road, you may be tempted to go ahead and buy it. Thankfully, there are few good reasons to consider living near a highway or busy street to make the purchase worth it.

Living by a highway will make it easily accessible for you to get around without much hassle. This can be particularly helpful for your morning commute.

Most shopping centers and attractions are located close to highways. So living near one could mean you're closer to your favorite grocery stores and restaurants.

Studies have shown that home values increase after a highway is added, especially in bigger cities. A highway is also a sign of future development and rising population trends.

Cons

Even though living near a highway or interstate can come with plenty of advantages, there are also some disadvantages you should consider.

If you’re worried that living by a highway might be too loud, it may not be the right decision for you.

Living near a highway can increase the dust and grime buildup on your home or garage. It can also mean the air quality inside your house is worse than if you lived farther away from the traffic.

For many families, living by a highway is a major safety hazard for small children and pets.

The pros and cons of living by a school or university

Pros

Living by a school can be very beneficial for families because their kids can walk to school, and children can have access to playgrounds after school hours.

Houses near schools also tend to have higher property values which can be an added bonus. This is especially true for highly rated public schools. The more families that want to buy a home in the district, the higher the housing costs.

Living by a university or college may be a good real estate investment too, as it can put you within walking distance of a cool area or college town with restaurants and things to do.

Cons

If you’re thinking about living near an elementary or middle school, you also have to take other factors into consideration, including lower speed limits, traffic during drop-off and pick-up times, school buses and cars parked in front of your house and school emergencies like fire drills.

Living next door to a high school can also have its own set of problems. Loitering teenagers, added traffic from student drivers and noise from sporting events can be major drawbacks for some homeowners.

Or, if you’re considering moving to a college town, it’s important to note that you could be surrounded by rental properties that have a high turnover rate because it’s mainly students that live near campus. The area is also less likely to be family-focused as more businesses will be focused on providing services to a younger demographic.

The pros and cons of living above a shop

Pros

If you have a favorite retail store or bakery, there can be multiple benefits to living above it. First, chances are it’s in a good city location within walking distance of other shops and restaurants.

Second, the cost of living above a shop is often cheaper than other areas in an urban city. You may even be able to skip paying for some utilities if the store below is already covering them.

Third, you can shop whenever you want – just don’t spend too much money!

Cons

Living above a storefront also has its downsides. For example, you could lose sleep if it’s open late, or you could get woken up early if the business is restocking.

Another serious problem is that it can pose a fire risk if there’s cooking involved. The operation of ovens or grills can also create bad smells and attract bugs or rodents.

One more thing to think about is what access you have to your apartment. Do you have a private door? Is there a main entrance through an alley, or do you have to go through the store?

The pros and cons of living near a cell tower

Pros

If you’re a tech junkie, living near a cell phone tower will provide you with excellent service. It’s also possible to make money if you have a tower on your property. Most cell phone companies will pay a premium to those individuals with cell phone towers on their land. Great service and financial benefits – what’s better than that?

Cons

Unfortunately, there are downsides to living by a cell tower. The biggest is long-term health risks. Some studies show that frequent exposure to energy from the towers can cause higher rates of cancer and congenital disabilities. In addition, a giant cell phone tower could be an eyesore that deters prospective home buyers.

The pros and cons of living close to a gas station

Pros

If you’re one to always need a last-minute tank fill-up or a quick snack, a gas station might actually be convenient to have near your house. The property prices around a gas station may also be lower than other areas.

Cons

However, if you’re one to worry about an oil leak or explosion, you might think otherwise. In addition, the smell of oil and potential for more traffic could be disturbances to your everyday life.

The pros and cons of living near a fast food restaurant

Pros

Living near a fast food restaurant can be beneficial if you constantly crave midnight snacks or are frequently in need of a quick bite to eat.

Cons

Unfortunately, living near a fast food restaurant can also bring greasy smells and possible rodent infestations to your home, not to mention the frequent comings and goings of drive-thru customers.

The pros and cons of living close to an airport

Pros

If you’re a frequent flyer, living near an airport could improve your daily life. It will also give you the opportunity to hop on a last-minute flight or travel anywhere whenever you desire. Even if you’re not jet-setting to your next destination, the occasional flight can be easier to get to and from as well.

If you do choose to live by an airport, make sure to join a frequent flier rewards program!

Cons

If you’re not that adventuresome, you might not want to live by an airport because it can cause air pollution and a lot of noise.

The pros and cons of living next to a cemetery

Pros

If you’re not scared of ghosts or haunted places, living by a cemetery could be convenient. It provides a quiet environment and you know that no new buildings or developments will take place. It also has abundant parking that you could use to your advantage on certain occasions.

Cons

The stereotypical threat of potential vandalism in cemeteries could be a potential risk to your neighborhood. Other risks of living near a cemetery include a spooky ambiance, extra traffic during busy times and poor resale value.

The bottom line

If you’re considering purchasing a home in an “undesirable” location, make sure to do research before making your decision. By knowing what to expect, you’ll be better prepared to find the right home, handle the expenses and smooth over any bumps along the way. And we’re here to help. You can get all your questions answered by reaching out to a Rocket Homes® Partner Agent today.