Anyone live next to a school?
Discussion
Hi folks,
was just wondering if anyone on here lives next to a school?
We have seen a houes we like next door to a large school, and wondered if anyone could share their experiences?
The school is totally screened from the house/garden, but I was more wondering about noise and/or traffic...
thanks!
was just wondering if anyone on here lives next to a school?
We have seen a houes we like next door to a large school, and wondered if anyone could share their experiences?
The school is totally screened from the house/garden, but I was more wondering about noise and/or traffic...
thanks!
No, but I go to one every day...
One thing I'd look out for without being around at school time is grass verges. Do you have any outside the house? Are they nice and verdant, or all scrubby as if some idiot female with a 4x4 has been parking there every day?
After having seen the displays of naff parking, general pigheadedness and total sense of self-entitlement which many of these females display, I would never buy a house near a school.
Although that said, I know someone who lives literally right next door to a school and they have very few problems. Nobody blocks their driveway, and their little girl is on time every day.
Personally, I'd go over there at school hours and take a look at the conditions out there. What the kids are like, the parents, the traffic. You could also have a look for the school's Ofsted report for an overview of the general behaviour of the pupils - Ofsted reports often comment on good discipline in schools from what I recall, so if they don't mention it there may be a reason for that.
One thing I'd look out for without being around at school time is grass verges. Do you have any outside the house? Are they nice and verdant, or all scrubby as if some idiot female with a 4x4 has been parking there every day?
After having seen the displays of naff parking, general pigheadedness and total sense of self-entitlement which many of these females display, I would never buy a house near a school.
Although that said, I know someone who lives literally right next door to a school and they have very few problems. Nobody blocks their driveway, and their little girl is on time every day.
Personally, I'd go over there at school hours and take a look at the conditions out there. What the kids are like, the parents, the traffic. You could also have a look for the school's Ofsted report for an overview of the general behaviour of the pupils - Ofsted reports often comment on good discipline in schools from what I recall, so if they don't mention it there may be a reason for that.
Edited by SGirl on Tuesday 25th May 13:32
Cheers SGirl,
No, no grass verges to worry about, as its all low shrubbery and wall...
The road it's on is a narrow one, but is a 'thoroughfare' so not really a place to park on for anyone (no pavement to speak of). Even the dimmest person would know they would cause an obstruction by doing so. The school also has a large car park as far as I am aware. Gonna drive that way in the mornings and see what it's like!
No, no grass verges to worry about, as its all low shrubbery and wall...
The road it's on is a narrow one, but is a 'thoroughfare' so not really a place to park on for anyone (no pavement to speak of). Even the dimmest person would know they would cause an obstruction by doing so. The school also has a large car park as far as I am aware. Gonna drive that way in the mornings and see what it's like!
Don't let the narrowness of the road make you think it won't necessarily be used for parking. There's a tiny road near our school which leads to sheltered housing, people used to double-park down there until PCSOs started ticketing. And car parks are normally reserved for staff, I don't think they generally encourage parents to park there.
Might be worth a quick call to the head or office secretary of the school, just for some info? They're normally pretty helpful if you're nice about it. Just ask them what traffic is like round the school at school times and whether parking is an issue in the area.
If you buy this house, with its shrubbery, will you then get Roger the Shrubber in to get you... another shrubbery? Placing it here, beside this shrubbery, only slightly higher so you get a two layer effect with a little path running down the middle?
Might be worth a quick call to the head or office secretary of the school, just for some info? They're normally pretty helpful if you're nice about it. Just ask them what traffic is like round the school at school times and whether parking is an issue in the area.
If you buy this house, with its shrubbery, will you then get Roger the Shrubber in to get you... another shrubbery? Placing it here, beside this shrubbery, only slightly higher so you get a two layer effect with a little path running down the middle?
Edited by SGirl on Tuesday 25th May 13:42
fido said:
Parking hell twice a day. I live near one, but just outside the range that School Run Mamma is prepared to walk - about 100m judging by the heffers that fall out of their 4x4s.
Tell me about it. I always park at least 5 or 6 minutes' walk away from school. Never any risk of my car getting dinged, pranged or otherwise molested by the idiot females then, because they can't walk that far. It's frustrating to see the ones that park on the pavement on the main road though - their kids are fine, but the rest of us have to walk our children into the road or the mud to get past them.And don't get me started on the ones that coast gently down the pavement while awaiting a gap in the traffic, or the ones that fling their doors open without checking first whether anyone is there. Been sideswiped by both.
As mentioned, the major problems are (in no particular order of annoyance):
1. Parking - parents seem to think they can park anywhere, block whoever they like in and abandon their cars for several minutes while they make sure their offspring are all safe and dry inside.
2. Sweet wrappers and general litter in your garden. And that's just the parents!
3. Children running across your lawn, sitting on your fence/wall/steps etc. while waiting for their friends or to be collected.
4. The latest one we have seen is a pile of cigarette butts deposited on the pavement/road by the cooks who come out for a fag in their breaks.
5. During school breaks, there is an unbelievable amount of noise from the playground. Screaming, swearing, shouting and general incessant kid-noise. It could drive you bonkers if you work from home and have the windows open.
6. We did used to have a problem in and out of term with kids climbing over the fences between the school and the side of house so they could get access to and from the school grounds when the school gate was locked. That was put to a swift end with the tactical use of some anti-vandal paint along the top of the fence.
1. Parking - parents seem to think they can park anywhere, block whoever they like in and abandon their cars for several minutes while they make sure their offspring are all safe and dry inside.
2. Sweet wrappers and general litter in your garden. And that's just the parents!
3. Children running across your lawn, sitting on your fence/wall/steps etc. while waiting for their friends or to be collected.
4. The latest one we have seen is a pile of cigarette butts deposited on the pavement/road by the cooks who come out for a fag in their breaks.
5. During school breaks, there is an unbelievable amount of noise from the playground. Screaming, swearing, shouting and general incessant kid-noise. It could drive you bonkers if you work from home and have the windows open.
6. We did used to have a problem in and out of term with kids climbing over the fences between the school and the side of house so they could get access to and from the school grounds when the school gate was locked. That was put to a swift end with the tactical use of some anti-vandal paint along the top of the fence.
The ex MIL lived next to a large secondary school for over 20 years. In that time they had trouble only a few times (kids running through their garden, stealing footballs from the garden, and kids just being cheeky), and generally enjoyed living there.
When visiting, parking was an issue during term time.
When visiting, parking was an issue during term time.
I'd avoid it.
I drive past 2 schools on the way to work each morning and sometimes (especially in the rain) it can be hectic.
This morning some dim woman in a mini stopped suddenly infront of me and flung her door open to let her kids out..
On more than one occasion ive been swore at for meanoureving around someone that all of a sudden wants to pull out into traffic..
I drive past 2 schools on the way to work each morning and sometimes (especially in the rain) it can be hectic.
This morning some dim woman in a mini stopped suddenly infront of me and flung her door open to let her kids out..
On more than one occasion ive been swore at for meanoureving around someone that all of a sudden wants to pull out into traffic..
I'd avoid, for all the reasons above.
The best way to see what it's like is to go and hang around for 10 mins at letting in and chucking out times, as well as maybe having a listen for what the playground noise is like around lunchtime. You'll soon get an idea of traffic - if it's a private school then that'll probably be more of an issue than kids' behaviour.
Just don't get arrested.
The best way to see what it's like is to go and hang around for 10 mins at letting in and chucking out times, as well as maybe having a listen for what the playground noise is like around lunchtime. You'll soon get an idea of traffic - if it's a private school then that'll probably be more of an issue than kids' behaviour.
Just don't get arrested.
I grew up in a house inbetween two schools.
One an infant and nursery the other a junior - so younger than the kids you'll have to put up with.
Lunchtimes could be noisy - screaming kids in playgrounds.
08.30 - 08.45 was hell. The road outside the two schools and past the house was parked down both sides, the cul-de-sac accross the road was jam packed and double parked.
15.00-15.45 was exactly the same as the morning.
Luckily we had plenty of off road parking.
Oh and one other things to consider - we couldnt' get to our house without driving over numerous speed bumps. At least three each way. And they were mountains.
Parents still live their and never really complain (probaably as my mum works at one of the schools)
The only downside I could imagine with your is that its older children - hence more likley to be out alone more than our local one were, and its a private school - they like getting up to "japes" and things don't they?
You'll probabaly come home one day to find the headmasters study has been moved to your front lawn.
One an infant and nursery the other a junior - so younger than the kids you'll have to put up with.
Lunchtimes could be noisy - screaming kids in playgrounds.
08.30 - 08.45 was hell. The road outside the two schools and past the house was parked down both sides, the cul-de-sac accross the road was jam packed and double parked.
15.00-15.45 was exactly the same as the morning.
Luckily we had plenty of off road parking.
Oh and one other things to consider - we couldnt' get to our house without driving over numerous speed bumps. At least three each way. And they were mountains.
Parents still live their and never really complain (probaably as my mum works at one of the schools)
The only downside I could imagine with your is that its older children - hence more likley to be out alone more than our local one were, and its a private school - they like getting up to "japes" and things don't they?
You'll probabaly come home one day to find the headmasters study has been moved to your front lawn.
Lived by a large primary school for 5 years.
Pros:
My garden (about 150 foot) backed onto the playing grounds so not overlooked by any neighbours.
Very quiet in the summer (as no neighbours to rear)
Could hop over the fence and had the whole playground to have a knock about in.
Lots of free footballs and rugby balls, if they landed in my garden I kept them.
Cons:
Was a negative to many potential buyers when it came to selling up.
Idiot parents (mainly mothers) parking right in front of my drive, nearly came to blows a couple of times.
Noise at breaks times.
Buggers trying to watch my misses sunbath.
Cant say we saw any form of mess from them to be honest but overall dont think I would choose to live right on the doorstep of one again unless the house was a bargin and the school was only a jnr or primary.
Pros:
My garden (about 150 foot) backed onto the playing grounds so not overlooked by any neighbours.
Very quiet in the summer (as no neighbours to rear)
Could hop over the fence and had the whole playground to have a knock about in.
Lots of free footballs and rugby balls, if they landed in my garden I kept them.
Cons:
Was a negative to many potential buyers when it came to selling up.
Idiot parents (mainly mothers) parking right in front of my drive, nearly came to blows a couple of times.
Noise at breaks times.
Buggers trying to watch my misses sunbath.
Cant say we saw any form of mess from them to be honest but overall dont think I would choose to live right on the doorstep of one again unless the house was a bargin and the school was only a jnr or primary.
surrey7er said:
The road it's on is a narrow one, but is a 'thoroughfare' so not really a place to park on for anyone (no pavement to speak of). Even the dimmest person would know they would cause an obstruction by doing so. The school also has a large car park as far as I am aware. Gonna drive that way in the mornings and see what it's like!
ROLF
The standard of parking outside my local school has to be seen to be believed, actually I'm not sure it can even be classed as parking, it's just drive the car to as close to the school as you can, stop and get out. You can't expect the little darlings to walk from round the corner when there is a perfectly good piece of tarmac just outside the gates, the fact that it is a road is irrelevant to them.
I live between a primary and middle school.
Some parents are utter
s. I've gone to leave in the morning and actually had my drive blocked off. I told the woman sitting there I needed to move and she said "I'll only be a minute"
"I don't care, move"
FFS! not many things anger me, but she did.
Kids are fine, it's perfectly quiet during the weekends and summer, and during the week i'm not there, 99% of the time I leave before the parents start parking, so don't care. The wife doesn't have far to walk my kids either
Some parents are utter
s. I've gone to leave in the morning and actually had my drive blocked off. I told the woman sitting there I needed to move and she said "I'll only be a minute""I don't care, move"
FFS! not many things anger me, but she did.
Kids are fine, it's perfectly quiet during the weekends and summer, and during the week i'm not there, 99% of the time I leave before the parents start parking, so don't care. The wife doesn't have far to walk my kids either
I live next to a junior school and it causes me no troubles. I think the main problems are parking at the start/finish of the school day and noise at break times. For me, i'm away at work when either of these issues may occur, so no problems.
Worth weighing up where you will be when problems are likely to occur. If they don't worry you too much and you like the house, it may be the path towards negociating a good discount off the house.
Worth weighing up where you will be when problems are likely to occur. If they don't worry you too much and you like the house, it may be the path towards negociating a good discount off the house.
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