# Does the name of a street affect your desire to live there? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 9, 2010, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-name-of-a-street-affect-your-desire-to-live-there/559982 "2010-11-09T00:59:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-name-of-a-street-affect-your-desire-to-live-there/559982/21 "2010-11-09T04:40:32Z")
> [@Pai325](#): > > Yes, it affects my desire to live there, but if the house and price were right I’d overcome my dislike. Between two houses I liked the same, the street name might tip the balance. Right. Oh sure I’m not suggesting that it’s the overriding focus of the decision… just wondering if it’s influencing you on the side… ---
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-name-of-a-street-affect-your-desire-to-live-there/559982/22 "2010-11-09T05:11:07Z")
> [@suranyi](#): > > More [Geeks](http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Asimuth+Circle,+Union+City,+CA&sll=37.585279,-122.066871&sspn=0.004013,0.009602&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Asimuth+Cir,+Union+City,+Alameda,+California+94587&z=16)! [And more geeks!](http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Uranus+Street,+Fort+Collins,+CO&sll=37.586093,-122.064979&sspn=0.011784,0.011544&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Uranus+St,+Fort+Collins,+Larimer,+Colorado+80525&t=h&z=16) [Geeks!](http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Dragonslayer+Avenue,+Las+Vegas,+NV&sll=37.42173,-121.957007&sspn=0.01181,0.011544&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Dragonslayer+Ave,+Las+Vegas,+Clark,+Nevada+89183&t=h&z=16) [Geeks!](http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Furry+Road,+Van+Buren,+AR&sll=32.743735,-96.668379&sspn=0.012579,0.011544&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Furry+Rd,+Van+Buren,+Crawford,+Arkansas+72956&ll=35.486655,-94.305568&spn=0.012108,0.011544&z=16) [Uhhhh …](http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Republican+Way,+Ramona,+CA&sll=41.637776,-86.167083&sspn=0.011178,0.011544&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Republican+Way,+Ramona,+San+Diego,+California+92065&ll=33.017966,-116.799796&spn=0.012469,0.011544&z=16) [Awwwww!](http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Cuddles+Court,+Lexington,+SC&sll=34.148749,-117.470176&sspn=0.012306,0.011544&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Cuddles+Ct,+Lexington,+South+Carolina+29072&ll=33.973519,-81.291876&spn=0.006166,0.005772&z=17) [LOL!](http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Lol+Avenue,+New+Iberia,+LA&sll=39.203427,-96.631279&sspn=0.011523,0.011544&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Lol+Ave,+New+Iberia,+Iberia,+Louisiana+70563&z=16) [Australian geeks!](http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Batman+Street,+Fitzroy+North,+Victoria,+Australia&sll=-37.822677,144.978021&sspn=0.023492,0.023088&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Batman+St,+Fitzroy+North+Victoria+3068,+Australia&z=16) [Geeks!](http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Holy+Grail+Drive,+Hebron,+TX&sll=38.384399,-121.443369&sspn=0.011656,0.011544&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Holy+Grail+Dr,+Hebron,+Denton,+Texas+75010&z=16) ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-name-of-a-street-affect-your-desire-to-live-there/559982/23 "2010-11-09T05:22:45Z")
> [@elmwood](#): > > [Australian geeks!](http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Batman+Street,+Fitzroy+North,+Victoria,+Australia&sll=-37.822677,144.978021&sspn=0.023492,0.023088&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Batman+St,+Fitzroy+North+Victoria+3068,+Australia&z=16) Named, I’d suggest, for the founder of Melbourne, [John Batman](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Batman), and not for the fictional comic character. ---
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-name-of-a-street-affect-your-desire-to-live-there/559982/24 "2010-11-09T05:23:16Z")
> [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](#): > > An old friend of mine was living on a street when its name got changed to Martin Luther King Boulevard. She lived on the corner–I think every address on that street was a corner lot–and she changed her address to the cross street, but it pissed her off bad. She was in favor of naming some street after MLK, just not hers. MLK-named streets and schools tend to have a stigma attached to them because most are located in quite rough parts of a city. I was going to post a thread asking if there are any MLK streets in _nice_ neighborhoods, regardless of ethnicity, but I know I’d just go down in flames. Nice MLK streets I know of are in Ithaca, New York, and Denver, Colorado. MLK Boulevard in Austin is gentrifying. ---
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-name-of-a-street-affect-your-desire-to-live-there/559982/25 "2010-11-09T05:24:25Z")
> [@Cunctator](#): > > Named, I’d suggest, for the founder of Melbourne, [John Batman](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Batman), and not for the fictional comic character. And it just happens to be off of Alfred Street, huh? Coincidence? ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-name-of-a-street-affect-your-desire-to-live-there/559982/26 "2010-11-09T05:35:49Z")
> [@elmwood](#): > > And it just happens to be off of Alfred Street, huh? Coincidence? Yes. The street names in that area of Melbourne would date from the 1850s through to the the 1880s. There are many examples of Alfred Streets in Australian cities dating from the era. I live around the corner from one. They were often named after Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, second son of Queen Victoria. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-name-of-a-street-affect-your-desire-to-live-there/559982/27 "2010-11-09T06:12:39Z")
> [@elmwood](#): > > [LOL!](http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Lol+Avenue,+New+Iberia,+LA&sll=39.203427,-96.631279&sspn=0.011523,0.011544&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Lol+Ave,+New+Iberia,+Iberia,+Louisiana+70563&z=16) And of course [1337](http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Leet+Drive,+Oakland,+CA&sll=37.73412,-122.200091&sspn=0.011709,0.027874&gl=us&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Leet+Dr,+Oakland,+Alameda,+California+94621&z=16). ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-name-of-a-street-affect-your-desire-to-live-there/559982/28 "2010-11-09T13:40:40Z")
It wouldn’t actually factor into my decision to live there or not… but it’s definitely something that either makes me smile or blow a raspberry every time I pass the street sign. ---
**Author:** ![SecondJudith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5ac83/32.png) [@SecondJudith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SecondJudith)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-name-of-a-street-affect-your-desire-to-live-there/559982/29 "2010-11-09T13:54:47Z")
> [@Cunctator](#): > > Yes. The street names in that area of Melbourne would date from the 1850s through to the the 1880s. There are many examples of Alfred Streets in Australian cities dating from the era. I live around the corner from one. They were often named after Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, second son of Queen Victoria. Fun killer. ---
**Author:** ![lorene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/65b543/32.png) [@lorene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorene)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-name-of-a-street-affect-your-desire-to-live-there/559982/30 "2010-11-09T14:26:49Z")
> [@ataraxy22](#): > > Absolutely. I’ve been home shopping and had been wondering if other people think this way too. I always wondered if I was alone in this, too. As others have said, it might not override the perfect house, but it would possibly tip the balance between two equally good houses. There’s a street we drive by a lot on Cape Cod called “Wah-Wah-Tasee lane”. I’d probably want to shoot myself within 3 weeks of having to spell that for people. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-name-of-a-street-affect-your-desire-to-live-there/559982/31 "2010-11-09T14:36:02Z")
An friend of mine was coming to stay with me right after the London bombings. The nice customs officer asked her where she was staying on the trip. She said “With a friend on Jane Street.” Poor thing was delayed in Customs for over an hour while they verified that my town does have a Jane Street. Nothing can top or even match [Redneck Avenue in Little Ferry, NJ](http://www.menuism.com/search?q=&l=18+Redneck+Ave,+Little+Ferry,+NJ+07643-1382&p=0&s=distance&pp=10&f=reso). What the hell were they thinking? ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-name-of-a-street-affect-your-desire-to-live-there/559982/32 "2010-11-09T15:10:35Z")
I know a lady who just bought a house on Toad Street. She insists on pronouncing it “Toe-ad”. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Downtown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Mr\_Downtown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Downtown)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-name-of-a-street-affect-your-desire-to-live-there/559982/33 "2010-11-09T15:17:17Z")
I draw street maps, and I do a little Pecha Kucha about funny street names. My favorite is imagining this real estate ad: Lovely cottage; must see to appreciate. Sunny kitchen, cozy breakfast nook, spacious backyard. [314 Shades of Death Rd.](http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=40.88629,-74.93449&spn=0.01,0.01&t=m&q=40.88629,-74.93449) ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-name-of-a-street-affect-your-desire-to-live-there/559982/34 "2010-11-09T17:36:08Z")
Not a street name as such, but I’ve seen a very nice country cottage in the West Country whose address is \ House, \. Yes, both the house and the village are named after me. It’s a gorgeous house, too. When I win the lottery, it’s mine. ---
**Author:** ![GESancMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gesancman/32/2923_2.png) [@GESancMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GESancMan)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-name-of-a-street-affect-your-desire-to-live-there/559982/35 "2010-11-09T18:22:34Z")
I’ve lived on Southwest North Dakota St for the past few years, which tends to confuse people that aren’t from this area. I won’t be sorry to leave it behind. ---
**Author:** ![Angel\_of\_Doubt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7cd45c/32.png) [@Angel\_of\_Doubt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angel_of_Doubt)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-name-of-a-street-affect-your-desire-to-live-there/559982/36 "2010-11-09T18:44:48Z")
[quote=“Annie-Xmas, post:31, topic:559982”] An friend of mine was coming to stay with me right after the London bombings. The nice customs officer asked her where she was staying on the trip. She said “With a friend on Jane Street.” Poor thing was delayed in Customs for over an hour while they verified that my town does have a Jane Street. QUOTE] nevermind…I was unclear, but I’m guessing a Jane street was affected by the bombings? ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-name-of-a-street-affect-your-desire-to-live-there/559982/37 "2010-11-09T18:50:15Z")
[quote=“Angel\_of\_Doubt, post:36, topic:559982”] > [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > An friend of mine was coming to stay with me right after the London bombings. The nice customs officer asked her where she was staying on the trip. She said “With a friend on Jane Street.” Poor thing was delayed in Customs for over an hour while they verified that my town does have a Jane Street. > QUOTE] > > nevermind…I was unclear, but I’m guessing a Jane street was affected by the bombings? No. But the name does sound made up, and they were suspicous. I think it’s the stupidest name for a street. ---
**Author:** ![robardin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/43a26b/32.png) [@robardin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robardin)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-name-of-a-street-affect-your-desire-to-live-there/559982/38 "2010-11-09T19:01:32Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > No. But the name does sound made up, and they were suspicous. I think it’s the stupidest name for a street. Why would Jane St. sound fake? 😕 There’s a Jane St. in the West Village of NYC as well, never crossed my mind that it was any more a potentially made-up name than Barrow St., Bank St. or Leonard St., all also in lower Manhattan. Now making like Marge Simpson and calling in the cops to “123 Fake Street” is something else. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-name-of-a-street-affect-your-desire-to-live-there/559982/39 "2010-11-09T19:03:45Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > I know a lady who just bought a house on Toad Street. She insists on pronouncing it “Toe-ad”. And she thinks that sounds better? BTW, Davis CA has a bunch. I can’t get the map to give me a zoomed url, but in one area there’s: Oakenshield Rd, Bombadil Ln, Goldberry Ln, Westernesse Rd, Poppy Ln, Overhill Ln, Creekhollow Ln, Rivendell Ln, Bucklebury Rd, Elendil Ln, and Evenstar Ln. I don’t remember Overhill and Creekhollow as being part of the story, but they fit into the area. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Downtown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Mr\_Downtown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Downtown)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-name-of-a-street-affect-your-desire-to-live-there/559982/40 "2010-11-09T19:08:44Z")
Where do you live that “Jane Street” sounds odd? I would guess that every third English-speaking town over 5,000 has a “Jane St.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-name-of-a-street-affect-your-desire-to-live-there/559982.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-name-of-a-street-affect-your-desire-to-live-there/559982.md?page=3)