House right opposite a school

papermoney

We live near a school and TBH it doesn't bother us that much, we have a drop down curb to our driveway and have never had it blocked. It is busy at 840am for about 5 minutes and then again at 310-320pm then it's fine again. We don't have problems with kids because they don't hang around near the school (I think they try to stay away as much as possible lol).

We have just sold our house (we bought a repo in December opposite our current house) the buyers looked at it because it was near the school (primary) and they wanted their children to go there.

I think you need to have a look around the area at school times so you can see for yourself, otherwise you are thinking about possibilities and scenarios that may or may not happen.

Marvel1

If you like your peace and quiet, living opposite a school is not a good idea, especially break times.

poppysarah

I am surprised children have not evolved without legs yet.

Visit at appropriate times. Almost certainly it'll be horrid.

Doozergirl

We lived right opposite a Primary School and loved it! DS was a babe in arms at the time so it didn't benefit us directly, being that close.

I'd left for work by the time it started, was home after it had finished but even on Maternity Leave, I didn't find the sound of happy playing kids a problem at all. We had peace and quiet all evening every evening, all weekend every weekend and in London it was particularly nice because the parking situation was pretty good because no one lived across the road.

Pick up and drop off is pretty quick - only 20 mins and people are gone. Afternoon will be a problem more than mornings because the morning drop off is more gradual. I think it really does depend on what kind of school it is. I'd go and sit in the car around home-time and look at what happens and the behaviour of the children in general. I think you'll be surprised at how quickly things calm down - most kids can't wait to get away at the end of the day.

dizziblonde

Wouldn't touch it with a disinfected bargepole - I've seen some ridiculously inconsiderate parking from school run parents on mornings and evenings (drives blocked, people stopped in the middle of the road - out and out rudeness if challenged on it because THEIR convenience is all that matters and how dare you question it because of the childrennnnn)... and if the school expands... tonnes of building work and contractors during the summer holidays so not even quiet then.

Not to mention the litter, the permanently present ice cream van from about February onwards etc.

B_Blank

If someone parks across you drive are you allowed to clamp them or anyhting?

kelloggs36

evoke wrote: »

Not only will traffic be a nightmare but you might have to put up with schoolkids damaging your property or your car. And then there's the noise...

I live VERY close to a school and have NEVER encountered damage caused by children! The disruption caused by traffic lasts for a total of 40 mins - 20 mins am and 20 mins pm only.

originalmiscellany

It depends on what the school is really! If it's a primary or secondary, or if it's a "high achieving" or a low achieving are all things you need to be aware of.
We live near a pub (much worse I think) and it's occasionally noisy (was last night for 10 mins at 12:30) but it's not a problem for us. The school near us isn't close enough to cause a disturbance but we do occasionally get some litter left in our garden from kids, and there's a flow at 8:30 and 3:30 with them walking home but it's never been a problem for us.

If you're goign to live there long term and want to get into the catchment area, check the OFSTED report, and go along on Monday at the close of school and see what it's like. The other thing that's annoying is parents' evenings/open evenings where you will find your road really busy with a lot of inconsiderate parents who park on double yellows etc. A real pain!

LillythePink

I lived up the road from a church and actually found that when they had "special" events on (not just a sunday service) but things like funerals, fetes, weddings etc - the attendees parked in front of our drive - which when you consider that they are not just there for 5 mins made that a complete nightmare!

depending on the school ie primary or secondary, if it was the right house, I wouldn't necessarily discount it.

BitterAndTwisted

Think of the up to fifteen weeks a year of blissful silence! Plus, as previously mentioned quiet evenings and weekends.