Is it worth buying a house within walking distance of private primary/junior school?

[Peace0fMind3]

DC will be attending a specific private school soon from age 3.5 to 11. We are moving house and I am contemplating how close to the school I should buy the house. As the school does not have a catchment we can essentially live anywhere. I'm wondering how essential walking distance is? I am currently a SAHM but in a few years I plan to return to work full time, so I don't think it would be feasible to walk them to school and then go on to work. I think it would be more a case of a breakfast club drop off in the car and then onwards to work. The traffic and parking surrounding the school is known to be awful so I don't want to make the wrong decision when buying the house. Is there something I am missing here, or is being within walking distance just not necessary for my situation?

Do what would work for the commute to school and work, also considering options for secondary, eg if you want a popular state secondary buy near THAT school!

Well, yes, if you go back to work, then you’ll need to be able to drop your children off early enough to then get to work on time. (If you’re going to have a job with fixed hours and an early start)

You can either live very close and drop them off for breakfast club on foot or drive past the school on the way to work.

What about within a 15 minute bus radius? That might get you more house for your money

If urban then walking distance may be useful to avoid traffic. However bear in mind that you might need to carry sports kit, instruments, projects etc so how often it would be practical might be an issue. Also you may end up being prevailed upon for other people's childcare when delayed. At secondary it might be nice to be the meeting point for teens , or if they need a break before returning for concerts etc.

If you are dropping DC at breakfast club, is it possible that the parking situation won't be quite as bad as it is not the usual drop off time?

We live close to school and commute. It’s much easier - I can walk the dcs to school then walk to the station.
If you’re close you could do similar and just drive to work. Avoids the parking issue.

We live less than 5 min walk from school
(Even at 3 year old pace). It is incredibly handy, particularly at 8.30 am.

Hi OP without knowing your school start times, commute and likely working hours etc surely nobody can answer

You can live next door to a school and still not get in as distance tends to be the lowest criterion. Research how many children get in on distance and what that distance is.

I would go for quite close as obviously cuts down the time / stress of sitting in traffic trying to get there before the second part of you getting to work. Also as they get older there will be different pick up times after clubs/ rehearsals/matches so short travel time just less hassle.

I found Breakfast / after school club pickups were much easier to do as there was always space to park. Easier to nip in and out.

Have a look at the secondary schools in your area. You want to be in a feeder school and the catchment area for one those. That may influence where you live for primary school.

Had I not lived fairly close to the secondary school my DCs would not have got in. Wirth bearing that in mind.

Buy a house near the likely secondary