Back garden backs on to school field. Good or bad?

[Mackerz]

I’m looking to buy a house at the moment. Seen one that I like. It backs on to a school field though. What are the pros and cons of this?

I’d like that. Open space which won’t be built on. Only in use at certain times Monday to Friday.

I’d be more concerned that the road the house is on is used for parking for the school run or similar. Actual backing on to school field not so much of an issue

Balls getting chucked over repeatedly. Noise. Parents blocking the road twice a day, depending on how close you are to the school building.

Primary or secondary?

I would be more worried about parking too. We live near a school and it’s a nightmare.

How secure would it be? Vandals, drug dealing, burglary?

My ex lived in a block with a sports field at the back, someone got in through the back window one day.

Most of the playing fields at our local school were sold off by the council and a scheme of about 10-20 houses were built on it.

It’s a junior school.

Thanks, am just canvassing for opinions, in case I’d missed anything. The house does have a driveway but I hadn’t thought about parking.

Depends on where the school is in relation to the field. I have a friend whose house backs on to the opposite end of the field to the school, so no parking issues. Plenty of balls coming over until the fence was raised though.

@FredMerc

Yes, selling the fields off and building on them is a concern.

I use to live near a junior School and I enjoyed hearing the noise of the kids playing... but be prepared that over excited little girls seem to do ear piercingly loud screeching when playing! It will be at break times, lunchtimes and during PE lessons. If that kind of noise won't bother you, and parking isn't a problem, then go for it.

I loved it, listening to children play is lovely. We didn't share a road though.

My friend grew up in a house that backed into the secondary school she went to. She was horribly bullied at school and there was no escape as her house was overlooked by the school.
So a big consideration for me would be whether your DC will be going to that school. Kids need home to be away from school I think.

@TraceyHorrobin

Good point, hadn’t thought of that.

I'm at SAHM and the noise during the day would be a complete deal breaker.

I lived next to a primary school two doors down on the left. Playing field ran along the back. I'm very very sensitive to noise & worked from home often at the time. Weirdly totally not bothered with the sound of the children playing. Even the screechy ones. Maybe because it's a positive sound? Blissfully quiet at weekends & not noisy before 8.30 or after 4.30/5 weekdays. Parking wasnt bad but maybe london is better for that as more public transport/walking.

I wouldn't rule it out. Visit at different times of the day if you can including drop off/kick out time. See what the areas like. Ask the sellers direct questions if you meet them, "does the school cause parking issues?", "how often is the field used? Is it noisy?" Most people find it quite hard to lie when put on the spot like that.

It will be very noisy between 9am-3pm, possibly longer depending on school times and after school activities.
You will have balls in your garden and kids peering in through any gaps in the fence.
Plus side though is it will be extremely quiet during holidays.
Youngish working family I would say go for it, nearer retirement, perhaps not, unless you really love the sound of lots of children!

I've lived 100m from a school and half a mile and can easily hear school bells, playground noise etc. It travels a long way (it's not an unpleasant noise though).

With the school 100m away, I also experienced trouble getting off my drive most mornings. Not parking, but kids being walked to school running across driveways and down the middle of road etc. (Cul de sac leading to a footpath so not many cars) Had to allow several minutes to do so.

Does the field directly overlook the garden?

Likely to be football matches on a Saturday morning too.

What condition is the school in - if it is in need of a rebuilt you might find they build the new school in the existing playfield, then demolish the old school and so everything flips. Unlikely but worth making sure there are no investment plans.

We had a friend that had a school playing field back onto their house. As the school was two streets way their was no parking issue. The field was fine.

Go during different times of day to see about traffic and any noises.

I know a school locally to me that uses the field for football on Saturdays and boot fairs in Sunday’s. it’s not just weekdays you need to consider. Plus after school activities and through holiday times school fields are used for clubs etc. Do your research.

We back on to a primary school field. I work from home one day a week. Noise is not that big a deal for us really. Only hear kids playing during breaks (although I know they are often outdoors for lessons, I don’t hear anything). Very quiet in holidays and at weekends. Parking or getting out of the street at drop off or pick up times is hard. Sports matches are at the secondary (also nearby) but only Sunday morning - I like that sort of noise anyway.

I recently bought a house that backs onto a junior school. Parking surprisingly not bad despite the fact the school is only a few doors down and we are a culdesac (albeit a long one)
I like it and the garden is not overlooked which makes me happy. Kids did yell through the Bush to me an out mowing my lawn before the holiday but the school found out (teacher came over and apologised and told the kids off) and since then no issues. Tbh I didn't even notice. The mower was far louder then they were ;)

I had a friend whose house overlooked an old school field, until the new school was built in the field, then old school demolished to make the new field. 2+ years of building work and her view is now obscured by a much closer dark brick 3 storey building, but the noise is slightly further away.