Advice about taking a council property please

Lucy_willow

hello everybody. Nice to virtually meet you all.
I am posting in the hope of some wise advice.
I have been offered a one bedroom council house. I am top of the waiting list and can refuse without it affecting my position. I have currently an unsuitable property that is too far from support for me. Or else I would stay put. The house I have been offered is a brand new build. I have one day to accept or refuse it. It's OK although not perfect for me as it has stairs and I have arthritis. My main worry is however that a large adventure playground is directly outside the property with both living and bedroom looking out into it. The distance from the window is approx 20 meters. It's not open yet as the estate is still being finished but the housing woman who showed me the house told me that it will be open to all people 24 hours. The slide and benches are immediately outside the window. I have autism and I am extremely noise sensitive. I also cannot stand noisy shouting kids.. Or the older drinking and dissing teens or even gossiping mothers.. It would make me feel very uncomfortable and cause me to have meltdowns where I can become aggressive as I cannot deal with confrontation with strangers. I also have two dogs and they might bark if people are hanging about. Which would get my landlord complaining. I would like to know what you people reading this would do.. Regardless of whether you love or hate kids or have Mental health problems or autism. Would you be happy to take a property with a playground directly outside of your house .? I might also add that I am desperate.. But want a quiet home I can relax in and stay in. I currently sofa surf because I can't live in my own place due to care needs.. Many thanks for your time and wisdom.

AdrianC

I sympathise with your situation, but this really isn't a question for this forum. Your needs are specific enough that the experiences and opinions of others are not directly relevant.

Do you have a support worker who you can discuss this with?

need_an_answer

Absolutely echo what Adrian says,its those who know you and your specific needs that should be guiding you through this process.

Please try to speak to someone whos opinion you trust and I wish you well with whatever you decide.

TBagpuss

how long have you waited, and how long is it likely to be before you are offered a different property, if you turn this one down? Are you 100% sure that you can refuse without losing your position?
I don't think you can necessarily expect somewhere which is perfect, but if there are issues with accessibility that seems like a fairly significant point.

Living close to a play area is likely to mean children playing nad making noise. Hopefully your dogs would get used to it and you could train them not to bark, but only you can decide whether it is something you personally could cope with.

Lucy_willow

I I haven't got a regular support worker at the moment as the last one quit her job. I also don't really have anyone else to talk to. Hence my asking a bunch of strangers on here. ��I have been told refusal does not affect my position at the top of the list. I have been waiting for 8 years although I have only been in highest priority for 6 months because I am not homeless.. I like my current house but it's in a pretty Isolated location away from my mother who is my only family and I have horrible unfriendly neighbors as well.. and obviously want a new home that I won't have to move on from again..I really can't bear noisy children. I don't hate individual quiet kids behaving themselves. But I cannot bear squealing and yelling.

AdrianC

You say you're "sofa surfing" currently? That sounds fairly homeless to me.

Cakeguts

My hearing is different to most other people's I seem to have a different way of processing noise which makes my life extremely noisy. I can tell you that living close to a playground like the one you describe would really affect me. I would not be able to stand it. The noise would ruin my life.

comeandgo

Well I have no health issues and I would not choose a house anywhere near a playground. The opportunity for noise, littering, etc. How are your dogs with noises? Would it cause them distress to hear screaming children, even though it would be in play some animals are not used to it.

Mojisola

Lucy_willow wrote: »

My main worry is however that a large adventure playground is directly outside the property with both living and bedroom looking out into it.

The distance from the window is approx 20 meters.

it will be open to all people 24 hours.

I have autism and I am extremely noise sensitive. I also cannot stand noisy shouting kids.. Or the older drinking and dissing teens or even gossiping mothers.. It would make me feel very uncomfortable and cause me to have meltdowns where I can become aggressive as I cannot deal with confrontation with strangers.

I think you know the answer to your question!

hazyjo

Can't speak for you, but I wouldn't buy opposite a park for the reasons you're worrying about. Also hate noise, squealing, shouting, traffic, other people's music, etc. I sit in the quiet carriage on the way home (and even the turning of newspaper pages or opening crisp packets gets my back up). Would also be anxious about what was going on after dark (drugs, gangs, etc). No idea on area, but from my experience parks can attract some wrong uns in every location.


Definitely take the advice above and ask on more specialist forums (am sure there must be several relating to autism).


Good luck.

2bFrank

I think you have answered your own question. Based on what you have said, I dont think the property is suitable.

Playgrounds are one of the few places, children get to be children, and they will run around and make as much noise as they want and they have every right too. You will not be able to complain or reduce this, as it is a spot designated for children to play and have fun. Also in the evening playgrounds can attract teenagers with nothing better to do and you could be dealing with anti-social behaviour.

You mentioned that part of your health condition means that you can get aggressive in dealing with certain situations. If this would cause you to become aggressive to kids and mothers, then I would certainly suggest that you do not take this property.

Also this could cause problems for your own wellbeing and safety in the community, for example, if someone was becoming aggressive to my wife and children for being too loud in a play area, then this would be a problem that I would come and physically deal with.

I find it very strange why the builders have built a one bedroom house next to the play area. A family home would be more suited, but it could be an issue with space, builders fit as much property as they can on any land.

I hope you can refuse this property without penalty and find a decent home to call your own and get the help and support you need.