Page 6 | Would you buy a house backing onto a cemetery?

Olinguito · 2023-11-21T01:12:05+00:00

We're house hunting at the moment and like the look of a house that backs onto a cemetery. There is a substantial garden wall and high trees on the other side blocking the view of graves. The back garden has the advantages of being quiet and not overlooked.. However, would the proximity of a cemetery put you off, and do you think it would be difficult to sell in future?

toomuchfaff · 21/11/2023 13:20

Quite the opposite. you know that land isn't going to be developed, there's no noise, there won't be a big massive warehouse with industrial noise appear, no bright lights, no noisy neighbours, no parties into the wee hours... I'd happily move into a property backing onto a cemetery.

SwordToFlamethrower · 21/11/2023 13:20

No problem with it! In fact, it would be lovely. I sued to live by a large cemetery and used to go for runs around it. 3 laps was 5k. Very peaceful

MaryBeardsShoes · 21/11/2023 13:21

I wouldn’t. I’m often around churches at night due to my job and there’s always young people up to shady shit in them!

pontipinemum · 21/11/2023 13:28

I technically live next to a cemetery it's really old I don't know when someone was last buried there but my guess would be pre 2000 anyway. It's over half a mile away but there are no other houses in between. It apparently used to be a hook up spot for teens who would park there.

I can see it from my back door but only because it has a circle of trees around it.

Watchthedoormat · 21/11/2023 13:34

I would love it!
In my childhood hometown I dream about the old gravediggers house one day being mine.
It stands at the foot of the cemetery.

MabelMaybe · 21/11/2023 13:37

So long as there is adequate parking at the cemetary for funerals etc., I'd jump at the chance - not overlooked, no-one is going to build on that land, quiet space by its nature, good place to dog walk if you have one.

Milsie892 · 21/11/2023 13:39

user1492757084 · 21/11/2023 03:24

What a wonderful opportunity.
I would relish the old trees, green space for birds and the lack of noise.
I love the history in graveyards; I would have to build a stile or rope ladder over my fence to have easy access to walking in the graveyard on a regular basis.
The house would have an increased value for resale, I think.

Edited

Same here! When I was younger I would got for the occasional walks with my DD through the local cemeteries. We had family buried there and it was just so peaceful and the history is so interesting. I’d love it.

DrCoconut · 21/11/2023 13:39

Yes. You will have no problems with the occupants having wind chimes/barbecues/hot tub parties etc!

Milsie892 · 21/11/2023 13:42

Milsie892 · 21/11/2023 13:39

Same here! When I was younger I would got for the occasional walks with my DD through the local cemeteries. We had family buried there and it was just so peaceful and the history is so interesting. I’d love it.

Show quote history

DF not DD 🙄

TheKnittedCharacter · 21/11/2023 13:44

It would be a selling point for me if it’s a nice one.

There are ‘certain’ graves in our local cemetery that have 4ft high fake pink flower and balloon arrangements, gigantic headstones and bloody wind chimes - I wouldn’t want to be looking or hearing at that.

user14699084775 · 21/11/2023 13:44

Wouldn’t put me off - no neighbours and it wont ever be built on!

SallyWD · 21/11/2023 13:46

Wouldn't put me off. Strangely I like the idea but I do like walking around cemeteries anyway.
It would be nice and quiet.

Anetaaa · 21/11/2023 14:13

😂😂

whatausername · 21/11/2023 14:16

Eh? Why would it? They bury them you know. No nasty smells or maggots hanging about

GeorgeBeckett · 21/11/2023 14:18

Would be unconcerned about ghosts but possibly concerned about teenagers shagging or people doing drugs. Wouldn't want to pay over the odds given it bothers some people.

CrapGoat · 21/11/2023 14:20

What a wonderful opportunity.
I would relish the old trees, green space for birds and the lack of noise.
I love the history in graveyards; I would have to build a stile or rope ladder over my fence to have easy access to walking in the graveyard on a regular basis.
The house would have an increased value for resale, I think.

This.
There's a gorgeous cemetery up near where I live. It's olde and quite overgrown, full of wildlife and every time I go I spot something new.
I'd jump at living next to one!

sixteenfurryfeet · 21/11/2023 14:30

It wouldn't bother me at all. Cemeteries are places of peace & reflection as far as I'm concerned, and you won't get any trouble from noisy parties at all hours!

Lightbulbspark · 21/11/2023 14:31

I'd like it for the quiet and the wildlife value. I may get a friend with a better sense of the unexplained than me to see if it felt welcoming. I then might buy it and get a small dog as my early warning system against anti social folk, wandering spirits and my over active imagination on dark nights.

Cattenberg · 21/11/2023 14:36

Didn’t the Brontes suffer from health issues related to polluted drinking water, as they lived next to a graveyard? Hopefully, that isn’t an issue these days.

Apart from that, I think that living next to all those reminders of death and grief would be depressing, but also grounding. And yes, the guarantee of quiet neighbours is a bonus.

Original poster

Olinguito · 21/11/2023 15:05

Thank you for all your replies - very interesting to hear that so many would see this as a real plus point, but I can understand those who would find it depressing/spooky too. I do find the thought of the wildlife and lack of neighbours very appealing, and it is a peaceful and attractive place to walk. The cemetery in question dates back to the 1850's but is still used. It is quite large, attractive and well maintained. The gates are locked at night. We're going to view the house at the weekend, so will have a better look then, and try to check out the area after dark too.

OP posts:

ginasevern · 21/11/2023 15:27

I have a cemetery behind me and I love it. There is an abundance of wildlife, it is so peaceful and there is no risk (or very minimal) of the land being developed. It is a definite positive.

pizzaHeart · 21/11/2023 15:33

We viewed very similar house once, we decided against but just because it’s very small and difficult to extend because of shared drive It wasn’t advertised that it was shared, we were about to put an offer when it came out! I was distraught. I really liked the atmosphere ( big trees, quietness…)

TheIsleOfTheLost · 21/11/2023 15:43

It wouldn't bother me, but I can think of quite a few people I know that would hate it. My mum wouldn't entertain the idea at all! Might he an issue if you ever move again as some potential buyers would be put off. On the other hand, if you intend it to be a forever home, you could stretch forever past this life and be buried there too.

spookehtooth · 21/11/2023 15:47

Some cemeteries have "friends of" or some other type of group looking after them. If you saw what they got up to, it might affect how you view the place? My response was a generic one, for a specific opinion I'd need a better understanding of the view and what happens there.

My local one has muntjac deer and squirrels that I see when riding through it on my bike, it offers shortcuts to get places without cars and associated pollution and danger. I also did a mushroom tour, with some local experts and they do other kinds too. Learning about the place, and appreciating the short cuts affects my feelings about it

LowLevelGrumpMostly · 21/11/2023 15:48

The most desirable roads near us back on to a beautiful large cemetery, will never be built on. People get into bidding wars to live there. Quiet neighbours. But it doesn’t have a church (no noisy bells) and is locked at dusk so no antisocial behaviour. It’s full of muntjac deer and foxes and stunning mature trees.