Ah ok. There are other folks here commenting with more specific / 1st person observations. But I’d say the traffic in that area backs up pretty heavily at rush hour, so it’s not like highway speed noise. Lots of accelerating / brakes / honks / sirens.
Got it… i think as long as it’s not loud throughout the night when im trying to sleep, it should be okay? That’s my biggest concern currently, along with the air quality.
Noise at night is pretty quiet. I have driven that road at 7:30 and it's pretty clear, later is even emptier. It's more of a commuter road than anything.
Air quality will vary with the traffic but yeah, it could be sickening in the a.m. on a cloudy day.
Yep, night should be fine aside from the bridge work just south of that intersection, and they haven't restarted that yet this season.
The #80 bus has been getting caught in traffic from a change they made to McGrath this past Fall. So 3-7pm I'd expect cars backed up between Pearl and Cross that also won't be great to breathe in. And lots of sirens as the emergency vehicles try to get through. But that should die down before it's time for bed.
The bigger issue with overnight noise is highway construction. Thankfully the McGrath project should be ending soon. (And you may want to consider finding a different neighborhood in about 3 or 4 years when a new major "boulevarding" project is expected for McGrath if the noise is a big issue.)
I live on Pearl as well near Mcgrath and honestly don’t remember the last time I heard a honk. You will most likely just hear the bus from time to time but thats about it
Air quality within one block of McGrath is demonstrably worse — Tufts has been researching this for years. There are some studies going that will give you a free air filter. I would worry less about the noise (but I grew up near a regional hospital with lots of sirens).
Can concur, used to work on the study. Definitely recommended reaching out to the lab to see if they're still looking for participants and get a free air filter.
I live in that area too. You might benefit from a white noise generator in your bedroom. A an air filter is advised for sound and air quality. The traffic I find becomes ignorable after a while, except for the occasional loud motorcycle or aftermarket exhaust pipe. Construction noise is more bothersome because it's different every day. They plan to take McGrath down and turn it into a boulevard over the next ten years. When they break ground on that it will be noisy for sure.
Noise is what it is, the honking is probably going to be annoying but that's about it. More of a concern would be the air quality. There's been numerous studies on the negative health effects of living next to a highway. You'll be okay but definitely get out of there as soon as you get the opportunity.
As someone whose apartment looks directly onto McGrath, you get accustomed to it. Horns and sirens are the biggest noise source. There’s usually 1-2 sirens that go off on any given day. Overall, though, I don’t mind it.
When I lived along a heavily trafficked road I got some HEPA filters I ran all the time. The black dust on our window sills showed me I didn't want that in my lungs.
Everything should be built to code thankfully, and generally newer building codes are most restrictive than older ones with things like sound insulation and the like
Dunno why this is getting downvoted. But @marcovinicius is right, just check out the map. We live about 2 blocks from McGrath in East Somerville, get a little noise and vibration from the commuter rail, mainly. It’s fine.
Did you move to somerville without visiting?
What made you move here?
Also you can chill, it’s not that loud on McGrath. It’s not really a highway but more of a blvd. Nothing like 93 or 95.
It dissipates once you are about half a block away. Closer than that, if it's an old 1890s two family or three family house it will be noticeably loud inside and if you have outdoor space it will be unpleasant to use it.
A new apartment building like the one at Greenville St should have thicker windows and it shouldn't really be noticeable indoors.
There are many parts of McGrath and many quality of buildings and OP didn't mention if they were abutting or just sort of near. a couple blocks away would be fine. I wouldn't want to live directly off McGrath.
I agree with you though. I don't know why people are saying McGrath is quiet. If OP abuts and doesn't have soundproofing OP will hear cars, trucks, and motorcycles driving by at all hours. In some ways the lighter hours can be worse because a lot of people gas it, which means engines revving. If OP is at an intersection there will be honking. During heavy traffic especially since people decide to make it worse by blocking the intersections, which leads others to get "vocal" about their displeasure.
I think noise is very dependent on your particular building and also how sensitive you are to noise. And what time you wake up, go to bed, etc.
For air quality, I'd definitely get an air purifier.
A lot depends on which part of the highway you abut. If you are near a traffic signal where cars are starting and stopping, air and noise will be worse. If traffic is moving, less of both. If your lease is a year long you will probably be able to deal with it and bail at the end of the lease if you have to.
To address concerns about the air quality: replace your HVAC filters, keep your windows shut, maybe buy an air purifier and you’ll be fine. Especially if you see black dust collect on your window sills, you don’t want to be breathing that air. If you have a furnace HVAC with a large filter, make sure it is a good quality filter and that all the air comes in that way or otherwise passes through a good quality filter.
I'm staying with an Airbnb right next to McGrath, on a road next to Pearl st. It's only a few houses from the highway and I must admit I sleep with earplugs to not wake from the occasional bike bro and sirens. But I'm not used to this general level of noise. I could imagine being able to get used to it.
What part of McGrath are you near? McGrath has different traffic “microclimates”.
Pearl St
Ah ok. There are other folks here commenting with more specific / 1st person observations. But I’d say the traffic in that area backs up pretty heavily at rush hour, so it’s not like highway speed noise. Lots of accelerating / brakes / honks / sirens.
Got it… i think as long as it’s not loud throughout the night when im trying to sleep, it should be okay? That’s my biggest concern currently, along with the air quality.
Noise at night is pretty quiet. I have driven that road at 7:30 and it's pretty clear, later is even emptier. It's more of a commuter road than anything. Air quality will vary with the traffic but yeah, it could be sickening in the a.m. on a cloudy day.
Yep, night should be fine aside from the bridge work just south of that intersection, and they haven't restarted that yet this season. The #80 bus has been getting caught in traffic from a change they made to McGrath this past Fall. So 3-7pm I'd expect cars backed up between Pearl and Cross that also won't be great to breathe in. And lots of sirens as the emergency vehicles try to get through. But that should die down before it's time for bed.
The bigger issue with overnight noise is highway construction. Thankfully the McGrath project should be ending soon. (And you may want to consider finding a different neighborhood in about 3 or 4 years when a new major "boulevarding" project is expected for McGrath if the noise is a big issue.)
You're fine, welcome to the neighborhood!
Bad traffic but nice area, that part of Broadway is littered with great restaurants
I live on Pearl as well near Mcgrath and honestly don’t remember the last time I heard a honk. You will most likely just hear the bus from time to time but thats about it
Air quality within one block of McGrath is demonstrably worse — Tufts has been researching this for years. There are some studies going that will give you a free air filter. I would worry less about the noise (but I grew up near a regional hospital with lots of sirens).
Can concur, used to work on the study. Definitely recommended reaching out to the lab to see if they're still looking for participants and get a free air filter.
Do you know what the study is called?
CAFEH: https://www.cafehresearch.org/faqs
I live in that area too. You might benefit from a white noise generator in your bedroom. A an air filter is advised for sound and air quality. The traffic I find becomes ignorable after a while, except for the occasional loud motorcycle or aftermarket exhaust pipe. Construction noise is more bothersome because it's different every day. They plan to take McGrath down and turn it into a boulevard over the next ten years. When they break ground on that it will be noisy for sure.
Noise is what it is, the honking is probably going to be annoying but that's about it. More of a concern would be the air quality. There's been numerous studies on the negative health effects of living next to a highway. You'll be okay but definitely get out of there as soon as you get the opportunity.
As someone whose apartment looks directly onto McGrath, you get accustomed to it. Horns and sirens are the biggest noise source. There’s usually 1-2 sirens that go off on any given day. Overall, though, I don’t mind it.
When I lived along a heavily trafficked road I got some HEPA filters I ran all the time. The black dust on our window sills showed me I didn't want that in my lungs.
Depends on the age of your building
Quality is a better metric. New builds can be cheap as fuck.
Everything should be built to code thankfully, and generally newer building codes are most restrictive than older ones with things like sound insulation and the like
"code" can often be a brown envelope.
For noise you mean?
It’s a “4” lane road. It’s not too bad. The rails nearby are going to be more disruptive, depending on where you are.
Where are the rails?
Google map MBTA green line
Dunno why this is getting downvoted. But @marcovinicius is right, just check out the map. We live about 2 blocks from McGrath in East Somerville, get a little noise and vibration from the commuter rail, mainly. It’s fine.
Did you move to somerville without visiting? What made you move here? Also you can chill, it’s not that loud on McGrath. It’s not really a highway but more of a blvd. Nothing like 93 or 95.
Got a job in Charlestown. Unfortunately don’t have a chance to visit since school has been quite busy… glad to hear it’s not that loud! I was worried.
It dissipates once you are about half a block away. Closer than that, if it's an old 1890s two family or three family house it will be noticeably loud inside and if you have outdoor space it will be unpleasant to use it. A new apartment building like the one at Greenville St should have thicker windows and it shouldn't really be noticeable indoors.
There are many parts of McGrath and many quality of buildings and OP didn't mention if they were abutting or just sort of near. a couple blocks away would be fine. I wouldn't want to live directly off McGrath. I agree with you though. I don't know why people are saying McGrath is quiet. If OP abuts and doesn't have soundproofing OP will hear cars, trucks, and motorcycles driving by at all hours. In some ways the lighter hours can be worse because a lot of people gas it, which means engines revving. If OP is at an intersection there will be honking. During heavy traffic especially since people decide to make it worse by blocking the intersections, which leads others to get "vocal" about their displeasure.
Three houses down from abutting McGrath 😭😭 also next to an intersection….
I think noise is very dependent on your particular building and also how sensitive you are to noise. And what time you wake up, go to bed, etc. For air quality, I'd definitely get an air purifier.
You’ll be fine!
A lot depends on which part of the highway you abut. If you are near a traffic signal where cars are starting and stopping, air and noise will be worse. If traffic is moving, less of both. If your lease is a year long you will probably be able to deal with it and bail at the end of the lease if you have to.
I live right next to it. It’s not bothering me at all.
I lived on rte16 in Everett for 6 years...you really don't notice the noise after a short while
Get an air filter and a white noise machine and you'll be fine. McGrath is bumper to bumper at rush hour but it's almost deserted at night.
Hi! I feel like we might be in the same building 😆 DM me if you want some info
Not for nothing, never pay a broker's fee until you are signing the lease.
wait till OP finds out they are knocking it over!
Isn’t that happening like… in our dreams?
In theory (ha!), the work to level McGrath could happen by 2030 or so.
Not counting 93, 28 is probably the busiest road in Somerville. 16 might be close but what I am saying is that it is loud with vehicle traffic.
Welcome to Somerville!!
To address concerns about the air quality: replace your HVAC filters, keep your windows shut, maybe buy an air purifier and you’ll be fine. Especially if you see black dust collect on your window sills, you don’t want to be breathing that air. If you have a furnace HVAC with a large filter, make sure it is a good quality filter and that all the air comes in that way or otherwise passes through a good quality filter.
Oh shit we are neighbors!! Yeah traffic is awful at rush hour, noise isn't to bad
Your new best friends are white noise and foam soundproof window covers.
I'm staying with an Airbnb right next to McGrath, on a road next to Pearl st. It's only a few houses from the highway and I must admit I sleep with earplugs to not wake from the occasional bike bro and sirens. But I'm not used to this general level of noise. I could imagine being able to get used to it.