Living on a One-Way Street

You’ve found a home you love and would like to put in an offer. But the thing is – it’s on a one-way street. If you’ve never lived on a one-way street then you may be wondering whether or not it’s a good choice. How will affect your day-to-day life? Is it a convenience, or a hassle? Will it be safer, or are you more likely to get into a traffic accident? And will it affect your ability to sell down the line? Here’s what you need to know if you’re considering living on a one-way street.

They can be inconvenient

One of the things you’ll want to consider when buying a home on a one-way street is the convenience factor. In general, one-way streets tend to be a little more inconvenient for drivers. If you’re in a hurry to get somewhere, then living on a one-way street may cause you some frustration. You may have to go out of your way to get to where you’re going. If the street is busy during rush hour, then you may have problems backing out of your driveway. One-way streets tend to be narrower than two-way streets, which can be a hassle if you’re trying to park on the street.

They can be safer

On the flip side, while one-way streets may be a little more inconvenient than two-way streets, they tend to be safer. Traffic is only going in one direction so there’s less chance of getting hit by a car. However, there’s always a chance that someone will drive the wrong way down a one-way street, so you should always look both ways before crossing. One-way streets are usually less busy than two-way streets, which can be an important consideration if you have kids. That’s especially true in the suburbs. In quiet neighborhoods, one-way streets may often double as play areas for kids since the only traffic is usually from people who live on the street.

They are quieter but may be less accessible

One-way streets are often quieter than their two-way counterparts. If you hate traffic noise, then this can be an important consideration. You’re less likely to hear noise from emergency vehicles, large vehicles, or even garbage trucks and snowplows. That being said, if you live in an area that gets snow, a one-way street may be less accessible in the winter. Snowplows tend to plow busier streets first, so it may be a challenge to get in and out after a heavy snowfall. And if you park on the street, you’re more likely to get plowed in when the snowplow goes by.

The bottom line

If you’re considering buying a home on a one-way street, then it usually comes down to personal preference. You may decide that other factors are more important than whether or not the home is on a one-way street. Buyers will often be more concerned about the quality of the nieghborhood in general, the home’s proximity to amenities, and how good the local public school system is. As long as the one-way street isn’t a high-traffic road, it’s unlikely to affect your ability to sell down the line.

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