You’re looking for a rental home in a city or neighborhood that’s new to you. How do you assess how safe or convenient it is? Read on for some foolproof methods of testing the waters before you commit to living in a new neighborhood.
Stake it out
The best way to get a feel for what your prospective neighborhood is like is to visit there at different times of the day and night. That means showing up morning, noon and night on various visits, parking for a while and watching what happens in the area. Notice the patterns of foot and car traffic. Is it congested, quiet, creepy or bustling? Are there a lot of people hanging out in the middle of the day, or cars with loud music driving through at midnight? Do some of your own reconnaissance and you’ll soon know if you would be comfortable going for a morning run or coming home late at night. Also, take the walk or drive to work, school and shopping at rush hour to see how manageable it is.
Police and public records
There are many ways you can check out the safety of a neighborhood. CrimeReports.com accesses police databases across the country and provides addresses, types of crime and time/date of crime for most cities and neighborhoods. CrimeMapping.com doesn’t have access to as many locales, but will generate an instant report for you, indicating the types and location of crime in an ever-growing number of locations. The E-Justice Blog (http://www.criminaljusticeusa.com/blog/2009/50-tools-to-research-your-new-home-neighborhood-and-community/), on CriminalJusticeUsa.com, offers a wealth of links to help you research the crime in your neighborhood, compare schools — even discover the history of your potential rental house. You can also visit your local library or courthouse for additional records and information.
Online community groups
A little online research will quickly reveal what community groups are active in your neighborhood, from homeowners’ associations to crime-stopping organizations. Business associations and chambers of commerce can also provide a wealth of information. Search online for group forums to find out about the pressing issues and planned events in your area.
Talk to neighbors
Most people are not comfortable either approaching strangers at their door or being approached by them, but sometimes the opportunity to chat with potential neighbors presents itself by just hanging out. A trip to the grocery store, library or park could give you a chance to strike up conversations with locals and get the lay of the land. Most people like to talk about where they live, either to complain about it or sing its praises. Don’t be afraid to ask questions!
You don’t have to wake up in a neighborhood every morning to find out what’s it like to live there. Before you choose your rental home, visit your potential new neighborhood, research crime statistics and talk to people. With some simple investigative work, you’ll get to know your new community before you even move into it.