would you buy a house next to a school?

Just was curious on your thoughts. i saw a really nice house that just came out that is reasonably priced, but the only thing is, is that it is directly across the street from a HS...a chain link fence seperates the HS parking lot and the street the house is on. weighing the pros and cons would you purchase a house across from a school? some people i have asked say its not a big deal (i got responses like "you're at work during the day anyway who cares") but another part of me thinks there will be a lot of noise and loitering/littering. thoughts?

Re: would you buy a house next to a school?

Every time we go to the school for a function (sports, plays, open house, etc), and we have to park down the street and walk, I think to myself "I would hate to live this close to a school", since the streets are all blocked, even in the evening.

Also, a lot of clubs and organizations use the schools in the evenings (Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, etc, etc)

However, if you have DC, they have a HUGE backyard to play in....

I think I would like it if the property was near/next to the school, but it wasn't on a street close to the entrance to the school.

Re: would you buy a house next to a school?

I know someone who's house backs a school, and its an elementary school

It is insane the groups of kids Im talking 25-35 kids that just hang out in the street, on the lawn of the house, there is constant loitering, calling cops etc. Kids leave all their trash and bottles on the lawn of this house.

After experiencing that a few times, my answer would be no, i would not want to live that close to a school.

Re: would you buy a house next to a school?

growing up i lived a block away from a junior high and the only thing we had was a bunch of kids walking by. But the houses that were right outside the property used to get the kids hanging out on their lawn. So to answer your question, if it was right next to it no I wouldn't, but if it was a block away yes.

Re: would you buy a house next to a school?

Posted by GoldenRod

Every time we go to the school for a function (sports, plays, open house, etc), and we have to park down the street and walk, I think to myself "I would hate to live this close to a school", since the streets are all blocked, even in the evening.

Also, a lot of clubs and organizations use the schools in the evenings (Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, etc, etc)

However, if you have DC, they have a HUGE backyard to play in....

I think I would like it if the property was near/next to the school, but it wasn't on a street close to the entrance to the school.

Re: would you buy a house next to a school?

no.

Re:ould you buy a house next to a school?

Probably not.

I lived a block away from the high school and even then, there was a ton of traffic and it was annoying to always have people walking by your house, littering, yelling, etc...

I'd advise against it.

Re: would you buy a house next to a school?

Never. I have a school bus stop in front of my house and that's bad enough.

Message edited 2/23/2010 9:27:00 AM.

Re: would you buy a house next to a school?

No. I feel that I would only regret it later on and definitely not across from a HS.

Re: would you buy a house next to a school?

I don't think I would. It would be too busy.

Re: would you buy a house next to a school?

It really depends on the school. I would stake it out over various hours and days and check out what use it gets if any over the summer.

Re: would you buy a house next to a school?

My parents live on the 3rd house down from the school. Whenever there are baseball games or anything, everyone parks on their block. Also the Band practices outside during the summer and that can be annoying lol.

Re: would you buy a house next to a school?

I agree with all of the above posters about all of the cons. I would not buy across from a school either.

The one Pro, I believe is that your taxes are cheaper if you live right across from the school. Not sure if it is like that in all towns, but that is what I have heard.

Re: would you buy a house next to a school?

I've seen some great houses right next to schools too! :( but I lived next to one in Astoria and the bell (to change classes) would go off on weekends so we'd hear it early in the morning... There was also lots of traffic....but having a track and tennis court in your backyard would be nice!

Re: would you buy a house next to a school?

Don't forget about the BUSSES and the noise they make...ughhhhhhhhh

Re: would you buy a house next to a school?

No.

Re: would you buy a house next to a school?

elementary school, maybe but traffic and noise in the AM/PM would be annoying. Highschool, no way

Re: would you buy a house next to a school?

I live across from an elementary school. It was good for me because my daughter is young and would be going there for the duration that I own this house. At first I was nervous about it. But we've been there for a year and so far I haven't had any problems. Security is always in the school parking lot, so we don't have kids come to hang out. I work during the day, so I'm usually not around when the kids are coming and going. When I'm off, it doesn't bother me either. We had 1 instance last year when they had an event that the parking was crazy on my block. But since I have a driveway, it didn't bother me. I guess it's all relative, we saw the school as a plus. I'm not sure how I would feel about a High School though, because most of those kids will hang around after school. With the elementary school, the parents come and snatch their kids and go. However, I will mention that despite what people believe, there is no tax break because you are across from a school. I am a real estate agent and I am extremely aware of the taxes in my area. My taxes are actually higher than most houses like mine in the area. I tried to grieve them and they denied me.

Re: would you buy a house next to a school?

I have a school yard across the street from the side of my house. I really don't mind there is always parking. It's nice when the kids want to play ball they are right across the street in a faced yard.

Re: would you buy a house next to a school?

NO NO NO

Re: would you buy a house next to a school?

No way, especially next to a high school. I would be annoyed with the traffic between the buses and the kids driving, all the school events with the parking on the street. Don't forget about the sporting events on the weekends with people from other towns coming. I think with a high school there are tons of activities going on all the time, including adult/continuing ed in the evenings. There would be too much activity going on for my liking.

Re: would you buy a house next to a school?

A high school I wouldn’t. Right now we live pretty close to a small elementary school that basically serves our neighborhood. Basically our street is perpendicular to the back of the school yard (our street is only one block) if that makes sense. We are the next house after the corner so we can see the school from our house. Honestly the only time it is annoying is Parent/Teacher night (which is rare!) b/c people park on the streets. Other than that, I leave for work before school starts there and I get home after it’s over. Even on days I have been home, if you’re outside you can hear the kids playing at recess but that’s about it. There aren’t really any special events at this school so that helps too. And it does have a nice big field which dogs are allowed in, our dog plays there sometimes in the evening.

But high school, I would be afraid of loitering and lots more events and traffic, especially since school starts earlier and there are lots of after school and evening activities.

Re: would you buy a house next to a school?

Depends on the school.

I grew up about a half mile from an elementary school. Even though bus traffic could be annoying 2x a day - it was generally fine.

I'd have more of a challenge with High Schools.. kids drive, open campus means you can have kids walking over your property at lunch or dismissal..

Overall - I think I'd consider the neighborhood more than the school itself. South Country School in Bay Shore? Beaufiful neighborhood.. I'd consider buying a home across from that school. Some of the other schools I've seen are in neighborhoods that aren't personally what I appreciate.. so I'd never buy there.

Re: would you buy a house next to a school?

I think it all depends...

Right now I live behind the high school. There is a gate where some kids pass through and those without a parking permit park their cars. For the most part, its not bad. I just see kids walking, not really hanging out or anything.

Growing up I also lived behind a HS and it was good and bad. Some years the kids were horrible while others wasnt too bad. The school did help out as much as they could with all the idiots speeding through the neighborhood or smoking before practice. The upside was we were sometimes able to play on their fields. When I went to the school, the principal would always unlock the gates for me so I could get home since the main entrance was on the other side.

Before buying my current home, I walked past it a few times a week (i work nearby) and just scout out the kids and their habits. As the school year started to wind down, more kids were parking outside by our house because I guess more kids were getting their licenses.

I guess it would depend on what school and how close the house is to the school.

Re: would you buy a house next to a school?

I will be very honest and say no. Sorry