yay or nay, buying a house/living on the same block as an elementary or middle school

What is everyone's opinions on buying a house on the same block or accross the street from a school. If, the school is NOT on a main road, but in a residential neighborhood, what are the pros and cons? if you found the house of your dreams which happened to be accross the street from a school, would that hold you back from making an offer? I have heard people mention negatives regarding this, so i am just looking for some insight. Many of the houses we have noticed in our price range are near schools. TIA

Re: yay or nay, buying a house/living on the same block as an elementary or middle school

My cousin did and swears she'd never do it again. Her block is swarmed with cars and traffic twice a day (drop off and pick up time). Parents even go so far as to park on her block instead of going into the lot - sometimes blocking driveways as they get out of the car to go wait in the parking lot on foot for their children or get out to walk their children up to the door. Not everyone follows the drop off and pick up protocol, etc. If they are still near their cars, they are rude about moving it (and many won't move). My cousin can't get out of her driveway for about an hour twice a day.

I'm sure not every school is like this, though. If you're really interested in the house, I'd make a point to visit several times during normal drop off and pick up times for the school. I'd also drive by after school in the afternoon and at night and on the weekends to see if there is a traffic, noise, loitering issue.

Re: yay or nay, buying a house/living on the same block as an elementary or middle school

my father in law lives across from an elementary school in brentwood. People will park in front of your house during drop off and pickup, you will have bus traffic.

my FIL had someone actually walk up on his property and turn off his sprinkler so her kid could get out of the car.
isn't that crazy??

Re: yay or nay, buying a house/living on the same block as an elementary or middle school

Nay x 10

Re: yay or nay, buying a house/living on the same block as an elementary or middle school

Re: yay or nay, buying a house/living on the same block as an elementary or middle school

and lets not forget open school night and any other time they are having after-school activities going on. i'd have to give it a big NAY!

Re: yay or nay, buying a house/living on the same block as an elementary or middle school

I agree with maybe visiting the area a few times to see for yourself. But, no I would not totally cross it off the list just yet. Especially if you really love the house that much. Everybody has their own issues with houses and honestly - they shouldn't influence your decision. What would bother me may not bother you in the least. So IMO - check it out for yourself, but make sure you also go at time that schools does let out so you know excatly what does go on, Good luck

Message edited 10/10/2008 1:06:03 PM.

Re: yay or nay, buying a house/living on the same block as an elementary or middle school

As someone who have live up the block from a school my whole life I have to say it is definatly not good/fun during the school year.. open school night/nights of school events etc. It would take me literlly 20 minutes to drive down my block in the am during school days.. it's crazy.. People have no reguard for others property, space.. I would definatly say no to this..

Re: yay or nay, buying a house/living on the same block as an elementary or middle school

no way Jose

Re: yay or nay, buying a house/living on the same block as an elementary or middle school

I'd rather not, mostly because of the traffic.

Re: yay or nay, buying a house/living on the same block as an elementary or middle school

Depends on the school. We live near a middle school (1/2 mile away) and it's never been a problem. Street parking is almost unheard of. That happens maybe 2 times a year at most and the cars are minimal, nothing that I would consider undesireable. School traffic is surprisingly minimal too.

Re: yay or nay, buying a house/living on the same block as an elementary or middle school

I live near an elementary school

The school is on a main road, and i live on a side street.
I have to say, there is not much action from the school at all, they have an entrance off the main road, and i am far enough away that my block is not affected.

Re: yay or nay, buying a house/living on the same block as an elementary or middle school

The apartment I used to live in was in a 3 family house across from a school. We had a hard time parking due to the teachers, parents, etc...But again I was a renter, so I had no garage or driveway (and this was in the Bronx). That was our biggest problem. I was at work til 5 so I never really heard or saw the kids.

Re: yay or nay, buying a house/living on the same block as an elementary or middle school

NOPE! to much traffic and noise. FORGET it. I would be aggrevated all the time.

Re: yay or nay, buying a house/living on the same block as an elementary or middle school

I would NEVER EVER do it.

Traffic, increased foot traffic, garbage being dropped, noise, etc, etc etc. Older kids (middle school) often walk by and get rowdy. I know some people who live on a school block have had huge problems with vandalism, etc.

No way. Not for me.

Re: yay or nay, buying a house/living on the same block as an elementary or middle school

I live like 3 houses down from an elementary school, doesnt bother us that much I leave for work at 8:30 so yes the street has traffic but i have the option to go the otherway to avoid it, never had problems with noise and noone has ever blocked my driveway.

Re: yay or nay, buying a house/living on the same block as an elementary or middle school

We just had a fire drill and people that live behind our school actually came to the school to complain about the noise, so that could be a factor too!

Re: yay or nay, buying a house/living on the same block as an elementary or middle school

Message edited 9/17/2011 12:17:15 AM.

Re: yay or nay, buying a house/living on the same block as an elementary or middle school

I wouldn't buy across the street or on the same block.

I work in a high school in a residential area, and during fire drills, my students invariably wind up on our neighbors' lawns, cars, or driveways. Add that to after school activities, teacher parking, and student pickup... it's probably going to be a huge PITA to be that close.

Message edited 10/10/2008 9:31:58 PM.

Re: yay or nay, buying a house/living on the same block as an elementary or middle school

I wouldn't.

If you are concerned about it, go to the house during school hours, including drop off/pick-up in AM and PM to see the traffic it causes.

Re: yay or nay, buying a house/living on the same block as an elementary or middle school

My DD's elementary school is in a residential area. There are a bunch of houses directly across the street from it. Even though the school is right there, it is a very quiet neighborhood. Honestly I don't see it as a problem.
The school has it's own parking lot and No one os permitted to park in the street on the school side.

IMHO.....it would not be a problem. If the area was GREAT and it was the house I LOVED then yes...I'd go for it.

Re: yay or nay, buying a house/living on the same block as an elementary or middle school

In our co-op we were 2 garden apartments away from a city elementary school. I never had a problem with it.
The only time it was congested was during school hours, and we would already be at work. By the time we got home the teachers were gone for the day. As far as the noise...it never bothered me. We never had a problem with kids hanging out in the park at night or vandalism.


The house we just purchased is across the street from a field. On the other side of the field is an elementary school, but the entrance to the building is around the block. We have no problems with parents/teachers parking...our block is far enough that it is not affected. I actually like the fact that I look out my front door to an open field, rather then worry about a neighbor who doesn't keep up with their house.

Re: yay or nay, buying a house/living on the same block as an elementary or middle school

eh, probably not...but I would check out the area at all times of the day to check it out.

I'd be concerned about increased traffic and about kids hanging out in the fields at night causing trouble...I know that's where we sometimes went when we were up to no good.

Re: yay or nay, buying a house/living on the same block as an elementary or middle school

No way...traffic, noise, etc.

Re: yay or nay, buying a house/living on the same block as an elementary or middle school

"Sometimes I hear cheering from the
games in the afternoon "

I would like that part!

nothing better than hearing people cheer!

i imagine myself outside hanging laundry with the crowd cheering me on... i take a bow.

Message edited 10/11/2008 9:20:54 AM.