Train

[CharlotteRed]

I found this thread when researching the Belmont and Optimist Park neighborhoods a new home and was hoping to get some insights from current neighbors. 

I'd love opinions on two specific new construction developments.  Looking at either the Ryan Parkwood Square townhomes at Parkwood/16th or the CityScape Towns townhomes on Siegle/Van Every.  I know the train is right behind Van Every... but I don't know how often it usually runs or how loud it is...  vs. being on Parkwood, which is a much busier street.   Can anyone share opinions on what location you think is better?  

[Urban Cowboy]

2 hours ago, CharlotteRed said:

I found this thread when researching the Belmont and Optimist Park neighborhoods a new home and was hoping to get some insights from current neighbors. 

I'd love opinions on two specific new construction developments.  Looking at either the Ryan Parkwood Square townhomes at Parkwood/16th or the CityScape Towns townhomes on Siegle/Van Every.  I know the train is right behind Van Every... but I don't know how often it usually runs or how loud it is...  vs. being on Parkwood, which is a much busier street.   Can anyone share opinions on what location you think is better?  

My understanding is that there are only 1-2 units left at CityScape Townhomes - and they're the 2 story versions with detached garages (no city views). I toured one a month or so ago and found the layouts to be awkward. I cannot speak to the train frequency at CityScape, but I live in Elizabeth and I probably hear the train 1 time a day on average (same track).  I know there is a railroad bridge at Siegle, but you will definitely still hear the train horns from where it crosses Louise.

As far as Ryan Parkwood Square - all of the townhomes that front Parkwood are sold, as far as I'm aware - so you wouldn't have that traffic noise. And yes, Parkwood is a busier street but they're putting in a light at Parkwood and 16th, and there is a plan to install traffic softening medians. I think Parkwood Square is the better location long-term, because of the development along the new blue line and other projects in the works in Optimist Park.

Cityscape is more nestled into an existing neighborhood. Whereas Parkwood Square doesn't feel like it's a part of the existing community as much - for better or worse. I would walk around both areas and decide on the vibe. I prefer the industry of the railyard and the walkability to Optimist Hall (Parkwood location). But there are train noises in each location. 

[t_money]

I've had friends that live near the tracks.  They said they train didn't run too often but they did hear it at night.  They got used to it though and it didn't bother them after a while.  I would imagine that in a new build townhome, it should be fairly good at keeping noise out.

Better of course is very subjective.  The parkwood/16th is very close to the light rail, but you are right, that will be a very busy intersection in terms of cars.  It is also much more walkable to a lot of things, and I think that area will only continue to grow in terms of things to do.

Siegle probably feels a little more quiet (except for the train).  With the greenway near by it may feel a bit more 'natural'.  It is still within walking distance of some restaurants and breweries.

[nuthinberger]

3 hours ago, CharlotteRed said:

I found this thread when researching the Belmont and Optimist Park neighborhoods a new home and was hoping to get some insights from current neighbors. 

I'd love opinions on two specific new construction developments.  Looking at either the Ryan Parkwood Square townhomes at Parkwood/16th or the CityScape Towns townhomes on Siegle/Van Every.  I know the train is right behind Van Every... but I don't know how often it usually runs or how loud it is...  vs. being on Parkwood, which is a much busier street.   Can anyone share opinions on what location you think is better?  

I live in this neighborhood.  The train runs much more regularly than I assumed, although I can't give you specific intervals because I don't live close enough to hear it.   Somewhere between 5 & 12 per 24 hours?  I think both will be nice locations that become more walkable.  Seigle will definitely be less trafficked as it is not easily connected to uptown.  Not sure that helps but my $.02.

[slipperypete]

I live about a block and a half from that rail line (CSX, formerly Seaboard Air Line). At that distance I can just feel the train and hear the horn well with windows closed. You will definitely feel it in those Cityscape townhouses. In fact, I hear the horn right now. 

The line gets something like 4-6 trains per day, I would estimate. Southbound trains are moving faster and blow their horns at N Davidson - probably not so troublesome for Cityscape. The northbound trains usually slow down significantly in this area however, and often stop completely (maybe for switching some cars over to NS at the small yard near the old Seaboard Line station, now Urban Ministry building?). That creates more noise for longer, as each axle thuds on each rail joint and the couplings clank on deceleration and then again when it starts to move forward. Just more noise overall and more irregular, so less easy to tune out. They can also block Louise and N Davidson for up to 15 minutes sometimes, but N Caldwell, Seigle and Hawthorn are passable. Most of the horn blowing for N Davidson and Louise are short blasts, but occasionally you'll have some a-hole engineer on a late night train laying on the horn for 10 second long blasts. Each grade crossing gets long-long-short-long, so it can be 30-40 seconds of horn wailing, worst case. I don't know how residents of One305 on Central who face the rail can take it with those trains. 

Like just about anything you will get used to it. And it looks like the only units still available are buffered by the taller units along the rail line. So that might help a bit on the horn noise (less help for the vibration). 

[SgtCampsalot]

I live a block from the CSX line: the first few weeks I was woken up by it in the middle of the night every few nights. Two years later I never ever notice it anymore.

Your choice is between a big-city neighborhood vibe (Ryan), or small-town in the city vibe (Cityscape). The latter would also require a more proactive approach in getting to know the neighbors within several blocks of you, as it is a very tight longtime community.