It’s back to school time for the kids, and many parents are doing the happy dance this Labour Day long weekend. After weeks of searching, you’ve finally found your dream home. But it sits across the street from a school — which could be good or bad. If you’re a parent, that’s probably great. If you’re looking for a quiet oasis, not so much.
With school in session 180 days a year, buyers should weigh the advantages and disadvantages of living near a school before making a final decision.
“Every buyer is unique. Most with young, school-age kids usually shop for specific school districts and want to be close to their elementary school. Buyers with middle- and high-school-age children are more district-driven, with location being secondary,” says Mark Schreier, a REALTOR® with Century 21 American Homes in Syosset, NY.
Here are some pros and cons to think about when considering buying near a school:
Pro: Your children can walk to school
Most parents dread the drive-through crunch when dropping off and picking up kids from school every day. Living near a school means you can skip the drive and just walk — getting a little outdoor exercise as a bonus.
Con: Streets are clogged with traffic
Living near a school can mean dealing with heavy traffic, including idling cars and buses shuttling kids to and from school. And it may not be just twice a day.
Schreier says neighbors can expect traffic issues during special events such as parent-teacher conferences, plays, concerts and sporting events.
“If you live near a high school, expect there to be more frequent car crashes since students new to driving are more likely to have accidents,” says Beatrice de Jong, broker associate and consumer trends expert at Opendoor, in Los Angeles.
Pro: Access to playground after school
Public parks can sometimes be located a distance away. Living near a public school gives kids,
even if they don’t attend the school, access to the playground when school is out for the day. This could include swings, monkey bars, and handball and basketball courts.
“School parks usually have a track and or playground for them to use,” says Schreier.
Con: Parking rules may not be enforced
One of the biggest gripes neighbors have about living near a school is the lack of parking enforcement and inconsiderate parents parking in, or blocking, neighbourhood driveways.
“Some streets near schools have no-parking rules during school hours, parking issues from staff if school doesn’t have a private lot,” says Schreier.
Pro: Schools are typically located in safe neighbourhoods
Safety is a priority for schools, and many schools have daily police patrols and tight security measures to keep their campuses secure. This can be an added benefit for home buyers looking for a safe community.
Schools also promote a sense of community. De Jong says schools can liven up a community, providing social activities for adults and kids, such as craft fairs and sporting events.
Con: Heightened noise level
Often when buyers think of schools, they think of the noise. Living near a school can bring all kinds of noises, like the bell, the ping of metal bats, kids shooting hoops on the basketball court, cheering at games, band practice, and more.
Pro: A good school district means higher resale value
Buyers with kids will make a beeline toward neighbourhoods with good school districts. That in turn has additional benefits for sellers.
“Homes in highly rated school zones are in higher demand for buyers, and fetch higher resale prices,” says de Jong.
She says since good school districts drive up price tags on homes, buyers can usually find cheaper or bigger homes just outside of the school zone.
Con: More kids are walking in the neighbourhood and/or trespassing
Living near a school means an abundance of kids all over the neighbourhood. This can rob a homeowner of peace and privacy.
“There will be a higher volume of kids walking around in the afternoon, which could lead to a noisy environment or loitering or even trespassing on your property,” says de Jong.
Schreier says if you want to buy near a school but noise, parking, and traffic [are] a concern to you, consider buying a few blocks away.
“You will get all the same conveniences but less of the issues,” says Schreier.
Remember, talking to a REALTOR® will always get you the best advice about where to buy your first or next home. They can give you solid advice about whichever school district you’re interested in.
— Realtor.com