Would you buy above a tunnel?

I'm wondering if anyone has any experience of living above a traffic tunnel. Here are a couple of examples of what I'm talking about:

75B Guthrie Street Paddington Qld 4064 - House for Sale #120887621 - realestate.com.au
3/43 Fernberg Road Paddington Qld 4064 - Apartment for Sale #121593326 - realestate.com.au

I've never lived in a property above a tunnel so I wouldn't go near them just out of fear of the unknown but I'd be interested to hear any opinions of anyone who has.

 

Once the uncertainty of the roadworks are complete no different than being near a major road.

Understand that this is a main road, there is noise, possibly doesn’t appeal to all buyers, lower entry point to the suburb & may have some restrictions on future development eg. No bored piers or basement.

Possible upside will depend upon who is selling it - roads authority or subsequent owners.

It will move at the same % as other properties in the area.

 

I have stayed in hotels in Paris above underground railways and you can hear the trains very clearly, even on the 2nd or 3rd floor!!!

 

Look out for the vent stacks, likely noise and exhaust odours although they are managed and monitored.

I'd be more wary of the lesser known tunnels, from convict days etc. The modern ones are structurally sound * and information readily avail. But nowadays all assets have responsible authorities.

There are some cool old tunnels running around the place. In Blackheath there is one under one side of town to the other that locals would have no idea exists.old prisons from back in the day often had them.there's one under Emu Plains from the gaol to old federation house. Bondi has a 100+ year old or running up Blair St, that's why the road is wide. Recently refurbished.
The road tunnels are easy to find its the poop and storm water ones your excellent DD should find. Any one on top of the North side storage tunnel? Runs from the hills to North Head

 

Look out for the vent stacks, likely noise and exhaust odours although they are managed and monitored.

I'd be more wary of the lesser known tunnels, from convict days etc. The modern ones are structurally sound * and information readily avail. But nowadays all assets have responsible authorities.

There are some cool old tunnels running around the place. In Blackheath there is one under one side of town to the other that locals would have no idea exists.old prisons from back in the day often had them.there's one under Emu Plains from the gaol to old federation house. Bondi has a 100+ year old or running up Blair St, that's why the road is wide. Recently refurbished.
The road tunnels are easy to find its the poop and storm water ones your excellent DD should find. Any one on top of the North side storage tunnel? Runs from the hills to North Head

 

It will be considered a secondary location, usually that means a discount when purchasing, however when selling same applies.

If this bothers you then move on.

MTR

 

Used to work in a building that was above a rail tunnel. My office was on level 7 and you could feel when every train passed below.

MTR comment thought is probably the best advice.

 

Anyone got some numbers or properties to show evidence of the discounting? For the OP they are premium city locations, there are tunnel under cities everywhere. I would think once you get into the CBD locations the discounting would be unlikely because people want the premium location.

 

Modern rail tunnels havea greater level of vibration isolation than in the older ones. Eg the norwest rail link or the Chatswood - Epping line create very little noticeable vibration or noise compared to the city circle.

Car tunnels don't create the same vibration but fumes as highlighted above are an issue.

 

There have been some health issues with vent stacks. This may be a thing of the past, but worth investigating before you buy.

 

Easy, go to realestate.com, check out inner city stuff that are on main roads as opposed to similar properties that are well located/not on main roads, generally there is at least 10-15% discount. They are all secondary locations.

MTR

 

My home is above a tunnel ( the M7 airport link) . It wasn't built when we moved in. Like the legacy Way, no trains just motor vehicles. I objected when it was first proposed but actually there is no effect and I love the convenience of the shortened trip to the airport!

 

Any change to property value that you know of?

 

We used to have work meetings in the function room at the hotel over the train line at North Sydney. I recall always being able to feel the trains go by.

 

Thanks for the first hand account.

 

You said traffic tunnel, so I am assuming you mean vehicular traffic rather than rail.

I note that all of the first-hand negative experiences above are over train tunnels, not car tunnels. I think there's a significant difference in the noise/vibration impact of the two.

I'd be more concerned about looking at current (and future possible) entry/exit points (and associated traffic/noise issues) and vents as noted above. If you are buying after the tunnel is already constructed and everyone has "settled in" around it (ie 6mths after?) then apart from the points I've noted above, I wonder if there would really be any impact at all? Apart from the potential upside of improved access....

PS If you are planning on buying a development with a future underground carpark, then that might be a different scenario....

 

You don't have to be "on a main road" to be "above a tunnel", though.

Are you equating the two?

 

No, not at all.

I am just stating that they both are secondary locations such as, ie main roads, tunnels, high voltage power lines etc etc etc.

Have a read of this
Risks of buying property in what’s termed a ‘secondary location’ - Momentum Wealth

 

@MTR I definitely agree with the concept of there being "secondary locations" but I don't see anything in the article to say that just living above a tunnel (especially if you can never hear it!) means that a location is secondary?

 

Sorry I think there are enough clues to work it out for yourself, its not rocket science ....