Graplr -

I at one point researched the effect of promixity of federal prisons on property value and what I found suprised me.

Some of the most expensive real estate in the city was beside the prison. Literally a stone's throw away.

Several studies on the subject found no real correlation between the proximity of the prison and home values. It is much more based on the actual neighbourhood and crime, etc., independent of the prison's geographic location. In other words, if a good neighbourhood happens to be adjacent to a prison, it's still a good neighbourhood. If it is a ghetto, it's a ghetto, etc.

As far as crime rates - again, it's more based on the city as a whole and the neighbourhoods - not due to prison location, etc. When you think about it, a prison has a large security force working within and around it. Beside the city's police force, you have correctional officers, security officers, prison staff, associated doctors and service providers, etc. In other words, plenty of people who could potentially recognize a convict. If convicts were to escape (not as common today with the advances in security technology), the prisoner isn't going to hang around the prison. They will try to leave the city asap. Perhaps some mentally ill prisoners might wander around, but in reality you already have such specimens wandering free in any given city - prison or not.

So I would not let the proximity of a prison influence your decision to purchase a home. I would check the neighbourhood itself - if the prices per size of the home/lot match other similar neighbourhoods that are farther from the prison, there is your answer right there.

A good idea before you purchase would be to chat up some potential neighbours who live there already, preferably some old-timers. Get their perspective.

Good luck!

__________________
Chris
2007 E550 4Matic - 61,000 Km - Iridium Silver, black leather, Sport package, Premium 2 package
2007 GL450 4Matic - 62,000 Km - Obsidian Black Metallic, black leather, all options
1998 E430 - sold
1989 300E - 333,000 Km - sold
1977 280E - sold
1971 250 - retired

"And a frign hat. They gave me a hat at the annual benefits meeting. I said. how does this benefit me. I dont have anything from the company.. So they gave me a hat." - TheDon

Very interesting. The problem with trying to chat up the old-timers is the owners of this home were the only old-timers in the area. The house 10 years ago was on 37 acres. The subdivided it dedicating ~6 to the current home, 10 to open DNR space and the remaining are now 15 homes. So anyone living close will have only lived there for 5-8 years. I did notice a play set in the backyard of the closest neighbor which I would assume indicates the neighbors have kids.

__________________
2009 ML320 Bluetec
1985 300CD
1981 300TD

Past Mercedes
1979 300TD
1982 300TD
2000 E320 4Matic Wagon
1998 E430
1984 300SD
1980 300SD

Chat up the ones with kids then? They are obviously comfortable raising a family there...they may have already done research of their own.

__________________
Chris
2007 E550 4Matic - 61,000 Km - Iridium Silver, black leather, Sport package, Premium 2 package
2007 GL450 4Matic - 62,000 Km - Obsidian Black Metallic, black leather, all options
1998 E430 - sold
1989 300E - 333,000 Km - sold
1977 280E - sold
1971 250 - retired

"And a frign hat. They gave me a hat at the annual benefits meeting. I said. how does this benefit me. I dont have anything from the company.. So they gave me a hat." - TheDon