Buy a house opposite a school?

[Saraleejunkie]

I have seen a great house that meets all my requirements but it is opposite a small primary school. I have a child so am used to children's noise but just how disruptive will it be? My child attends a different school so it's not a benefit in that way. We have one car that's not used at school times particularly so that shouldn't be a major issue. But I guess might be if jobs ever changed. Has anyone lived opposite a school to give advice?

[MrsJayy]

I lived next to a primary for years it wasfine the parking was a bit busy morning andafternoon but I didn't mind I moved 2 years ago and I miss not hearing the kids,

[LarrytheCucumber]

I live near a 3 school site. Mornings busy from 8 onwards until schools start (all at different times). Afternoon parents start arriving to grab 'their' spot from 2.45 onwards. Lots of parking on pavements, double parking so barely enough room to get down the road, lots of people parking illegally who think it is fine because they are sitting in the car and can move.
The only way to find out is to visit on a school day and see what the particular school is like. You would have to go a couple of times. Some schools, especially older ones, don't have enough parking, so staff park in the street all day, so parents parking spreads a long way from the school.
During the day, however, it is very quiet except for playtime/breaks, and much better than living near a factory or warehouse. I rather like the rhythm it gives to my day.

[IckleWicklePumperNickle]

We live 30 sec from the back gate. I have been on maternity the last 11 months and it's absolutely fine. It's brilliant that DS1 can go to school and back himself.

[Saraleejunkie]

I was still thinking over the school issue and planning to go at school drop off to see what it was like. Soneone else offered whilst I was dithering. Clearly less of a concern for them!

[MrsJamin]

I live opposite a large primary school that my kids don't go to (they'd already started at another one when we moved) - the pavements are very narrow, making it really annoying either to get past people or go the opposite direction to everyone else. Sometimes I get paranoid that other parents are thinking "why doesn't she send her kids to this school?" when it's a decent enough school! If you have a driveway it is annoying too if people park in front of it.

[getdownshep]

I live near a primary, secondary and a college.
The college pupils/secondary school pupils are the worst as they are parked here all day.
The road can be blocked from 8 to 9.30, so I never attempt to drive anywhere before that.
I have never had my driveway blocked although they sometimes park hanging over the white line which makes parking difficult.
The junior school has just built more classrooms so it will only get worse.
We are thinking of moving and will definitely not live near any schools/colleges again.
It's like a different road in the holidays.

[BreezyThursday]

We live very near a primary school which is only busy for about 15mins morning and afternoon. Different years break up at different times, though, and a lot of kids walk. It is used after school and in holidays to some extent, but basically those times are quiet except the odd bit of building work.

However, I know of other nearby schools where most kids are driven and the traffic/parking is horrendous for an hour around drop-off and pickup and also I wouldn't want to live so close to a secondary school or college.

[Sallylondon]

I think you really need to consider carefully the wider parking situation, as it looks like you'll be parking on the street too. Are there other roads nearby which might take some of the school traffic? What is access like generally?
There is a 3 form of entry primary school at the bottom of my own long cul-de-sac and I speak from experience as it is utter chaos down here for 40 minutes at drop off and pick up times. Also, it's noticeably much easier to park in the school holidays which leads me to reason that many of the teachers are parking here all day (or parents who leave their cars here while they go off to the station / to work). It's a steepish, narrow road with few passing places and my car has been scraped by reversing vehicles more times that I care to imagine.
Plus it can take a long time to get out in the mornings, and there's simply no point in returning between 3pm and 4pm as there's not a chance of a space - I usually go and kill time in the supermarket or at my mum's or whatever.
It didn't bother me so much when my children were small and I was doing my own school run on foot elsewhere - but now I am not tied to those times of day, I find it very limiting. But the school is a desirable one and being so comfortably in catchment probably boosts my property value by a few ££££. So mixed blessings. Go and park up between 3 and 4 one afternoon, is my suggestion and then see what you think.

[MissDuke]

Sorry to hear that Sara, hope you aren't too disappointed.