Living Near a School: Advantages and Disadvantages

Have you wondered if it's an advantage to live near a school? Maybe you live near one and can attest to the fact that there are some definite advantages or some real disadvantages. Or maybe you've thought about moving close to a school for various reasons, but wanted to be more knowledgeable before you made the commitment. Read on to learn about some of the advantages and disadvantages of living near a school.

Advantages of Living Near a School

First of all, if the school is a top-rated school or the district is known for its topnotch educational program, then living near a school may be good for your property value or for rental rates.

If you work at or attend the nearby school, having a school close to home makes a lot of sense. It's an easy walk, as opposed to a commute or bus ride. It's a quick run home if something is forgotten, and lunch at home may be less expensive than eating at school.

What's more, if you're a parent living near the school, you can keep an eye out for your kids--watching what goes on and being able to react quickly to school emergencies or weather-related school closures.

Disadvantages of Living Near a School

Noise may be one of the main disadvantages of living near a school. Busses coming and going, parents dropping off children, and food delivery trucks making deliveries, all generate noise. But children playing outside at recess also make noise that can be heard from blocks away.

In addition to traffic noise is air pollution that comes with that road traffic. Since vehicle emissions pose a health problem to those living near freeways, the location of a school building is pretty important. Is it close to a busy thoroughfare, is it just off the freeway, or is it located on a main street? The amount of traffic or vehicle emissions occurring near a busy school may pose a risk to the physical health of children and adults who live close by.

Furthermore, road traffic create stress. Whether that stress is felt or not readily perceived, stress impacts mental and physical health, and stress may also influence academics. Imagine not being able to get away from school, having to live school, see school, hear school, even when at home. Might this be stressful for kids or teachers, at least for 9 months of the year?

If you're thinking of purchasing or renting a home near a school, it would be a good idea to visit the neighborhood at various times before, during, and after school--just to check out the factors mentioned here.

Living near a school may be an advantage or a disadvantage. Ultimately, it comes down to the location of the school, the type and amount of noise or vehicle pollution, and your specific needs or desires.

Source:

Andrea J. Venn, Sarah A. Lewis, Marie Cooker, Richard Hubbard, and John Britton, "Living Near a Main Road and the Risk of Wheezing Illness in Children," Vol. 164 Number 12, Dec. 2001.

http://ajrccm.atsjournals.org/cgi/content/full/164/12/2177