Community

[DWhittles]

Would you move to a community or neighborhood that you loved that had everything you were looking for but had a less than desirable school system?

 

[jrydberg]

Nope. That's the primary concern for me at this point.

 

[caitycaity]

it depends on what exactly you mean by less than desirable.

 

[SherryNC]

Absolutely not.

 

[dcgrumpy]

Not unless I was going to send my kids to private school. What do you mean exactly by less than desirable?

 

[DWhittles]

A friend of mine is trying to decide on a house that is in an area she adores but the reports on the school is that the school is way below the curve in tests scores and basics of that nature.
I suppose private school is an option but not one I think she had considered

 

[debster812]

Not unless I was going to send my kids to private school. What do you mean exactly by less than desirable?

ITA with this. Not unless I was 100% sure I could afford to send my son to a private school that would meet our needs. And in this day and age, with the economy the way it is, that is probably not too realistic.

For me, a school system is at the top of the list. Fortunately, we bought a house in a community with a good school system, years before we even thought about having children, but now we're here and settled, and it's all good.

 

[caitycaity]

A friend of mine is trying to decide on a house that is in an area she adores but the reports on the school is that the school is way below the curve in tests scores and basics of that nature.
I suppose private school is an option but not one I think she had considered

for me it would also depend on how old her kids were and whether they were generally bright, or whether they struggled.

when i was in elementary school we lived in a district that didn't have the best test scores. it wasn't a failing district or anything, but it could have been better. my parents just worked with me to make sure i understood everything and then when they could afford to move to a better district, they did.

so, i could conceive of living in a district that was not so great (but not failing) as long as it was a safe area if i could not afford a better area.

however, if i could afford a better area, i would not choose to live in a "bad" district.

 

[Hillbeans]

I think if the school system has potential and is "getting better" then maybe.

I can tell you that if you're trying to sell a home in a bad "school district" you'll get a lot less for that house, at least in some instances.

When DH and I first moved to our home, we didn't really see the school system as our # 1 issue, but now that our son is getting to school-age, it's our top priority.

I'd rather my son be in a great school district and live in a townhouse or small house than have my dream house in a bad school district, but that's JMO.

 

[kasar]

It depends - does it mean that they'll be close to family and friends? I think you can't underestimate close family relationships with kids and how important it is to be in a close-knit, friendly community.

Can they afford private school? Is their particular elementary school okay but maybe the high school is less desirable? Sometimes people will stick with their elementary school for the social contacts and community and then switch to private high school.

I've always felt that really excellent kids with strong family support can thrive in any environment, but I think we should still strive to give them the best education possible. I too would rather live in an apartment or townhouse in a great school district than a big house in a bad one.

 

[CEDmom]

We live in a great community. It's very diverse, has lots of programs, easy access to beach/city/parks etc. It's 1 downfall is the school system. It's not terrible but it's not fantastic either. I'd give it between a B and a B-. We're staying put because of all the other positives that we won't get moving to any of the places we could afford. DD will start in public school in Sept and we have it in the back of our mind that she'll be going to private school at some point.

So, I guess I'd consider it if there were other school options available. Also, are there things happening in the town that would possibly improve the schools? There's a lot going on in our town so it's possible our schools will improve.

 

[Beth76]

If I could afford a nearby private school that was good, then I suppose I would. My children's education is of utmost important to me. Actually, I may not because I wonder about the other families living there if they don't have a problem with the "bad" schools.

 

[DisneyJen0504]

No. A good school system would probably be close to the most important part of choosing a community for us.

 

[swilphil]

I live in a great school system, and the neighborhood is not my ideal (too suburban) though it is a perfect place to raise kids. I drive 20 to 30 minutes to get to the area where I would like to live and plan on moving there when my kids are grown.

 

[SC Minnie]

Probably not. A bad school system may lower the homes resale.

The only way I would consider it was if I planned to die there and I could afford a private school for my children.

 

[DWhittles]

Probably not. A bad school system may lower the homes resale.

The only way I would consider it was if I planned to die there and I could afford a private school for my children.

In this case it doesn't. The area is Hoboken NJ. The high schools are from what I understand less than desirable. (If you can find me evidence of the contrary I'll be happy to send it on to her)
She's looking to sink a ton of cash into a home there (a really nice 2 bedroom apartment for something like $525,000)and her only reservation is the schools...
Mind you, her daugher is only 3 but still...

 

[Cantw8]

In this case it doesn't. The area is Hoboken NJ. The high schools are from what I understand less than desirable. (If you can find me evidence of the contrary I'll be happy to send it on to her)
She's looking to sink a ton of cash into a home there (a really nice 2 bedroom apartment for something like $525,000)and her only reservation is the schools...
Mind you, her daugher is only 3 but still...

Wow, I really need to get out more. $525,000 for a two bedroom apartment?

 

[EthansMom]

Nope. Even if I didn't have kids, I would eventually need to sell the house and homes in areas with better school systems are easier to sell.

With young kids, the quality of the school system is one of the first things we used to determine where we would purchase our home last year. We could have bought in less expensive areas -- in fact, could have purchased a MUCH nicer home for the same price, but school test scores weren't as good as the towns where we looked.

 

[jrydberg]

Well, a place in Hoboken won't have any problems selling. That's why they're $500k+ in the first place. But the schools really are a concern, especially with kids.

 

[DWhittles]

Wow, I really need to get out more. $525,000 for a two bedroom apartment?

LOL, welcome to Hoboken!!! It's a 2 bedroom and it's under 1500 sq feet. It's really cute though. It has a balcony off the master bedroom has 2 bathrooms and a washer and dryer in the apartment.