My first apartment after college was situated near a quiet and idyllic street. The place was a great value ($900 for a 1 bedroom apartment) and walking distance to work. For some reason, I couldn’t get anyone in my family to visit me.
Turns out, it was because I lived next to a cemetery. One of the largest in town! So my family (parents included) avoided visiting me like the plague.
Fast forward to today, as a realtor, we almost always steer clear of homes near cemetery for a few reasons:
- In a lot of cultures and religions, it’s simply bad luck to be near a cemetery. For many Chinese, there’s heavy superstition against living by a cemetery. Many believe that living near the dead will suck away your vitality and erode away your good fortune.
- Statistically speaking, homes near cemetery usually sell for 12% less than similar homes in other areas without a cemetery.
- Finally, there’s also a concern that toxic chemicals used in preserving the body could leech into the soil, causing an environmental hazard for the nearby community.
So, cemetery living isn’t for everyone. However, with the rising home prices, some people might appreciate the bargain along with some quiet neighbors 😉
