Thoughts on buying near a high school

[Percy N.]

Wanted to see what people's thoughts were about purchasing a flip or rental near (across from) a middle school or high school.

I can see pros (easy commute) and cons (noise, traffic), but wanted to see whether others have their own preferences.

[Bill Gulley]

Elementary schools aren't bad at all, in fact it can be desirable. Recess is during the day, tenants are at work. Tenants kids walk to school and home, big plus. Their kids can use the playground usually. Neighborhood security is higher, the cops watch the schools. Traffic is congested but limited, drop off and pick up, you can schedule around that.

Jr. High has more activities during the school year, sports will be earlier in the evening and the crowd is usually gone before most go to bed. Not as desirable as elementary, but acceptable.

High school, I don't think so! I owned one house behind a high school, rented and sold just fine (I didn't get complaints) I would have lived in the home but not that location!

Marching band begins at 6:30 am, that doesn't mean some drummer or trumpet player isn't "warming up" practicing before they begin! 

Activities can be endless, after school you'll have football practice, the band plays again, sometimes schools are open for civic activities. Now, on Friday don't expect quiet enjoyment with announcers calling every play at the football game and when they aren't blaring over the speaker system at half time, the band is playing again. Then, the bands plays something with every score too. Not just football, they have a soccer team and a baseball team too. Yes, the band is there too.

Did I mention the outdoor lighting? The bathroom might be lit up, there is a plus to the light bill.  

As mentioned, you have the Hell's Angels in cars before and after school, you know some have to show off and see who can lay down the most rubber turning out of the parking lots.  

Appraisers are more likely to tag a property with external obsolescence than not. 

The best institutional neighbor you can have is a church, half a day on Sunday, a couple evening services and an occasional whatever. Might depend on the denomination if they come out screaming or not. :)