Yes. Many people live next to volcanoes.
why are houses not near volcanoes
The land near volcanoes are very fertile and rich in proteins and nutrients.
Many of Mexico's people live in the valley's that are located between volcanoes because the soil that surrounds the volcanoes is rich and fertile, many farmers live in the valley despite the danger from volcanoes. The ash from volcanoes adds nutrients to the soil.
very carefully
People should not live near active volcanoes due to (of course) a volcanic eruption. But people can live near extinct volcanoes.
because they smell like apples
Well you wouldn't want to live near a volcano would you? Its quite obvious volcanoes erupt hot lava/magma which burns everything in its path, including people. People do live near volcanoes though, but they live near dormant or extinct volcanoes and have warnings before erruptions and are usually able to escape if they keep calm. Back to why you shouldn't live near them. The areas around volcanoes have a more likely chance of an earthquake. Also the areas around volcanoes that have erupted before is often "black" and bare. Volcanoes release poisonous gases too.
LOL ... uhm.. if you would not want to die when it errupts then you would rather live away from it right?
No, but the people who live around them usually do.
the volcanoes are inactive
Yes
For Plato Users: Volcanoes