Ways to Determine Neighborhood Crime Rates Before You M...

Last year, when we were looking for a place to build our home, I paid lots of attention to the neighborhoods. Were they noisy? Were there bars on the windows? Were there neighborhood watch signs? All of these things factor into one bigger concern: safety. I wanted to be sure we were building our home in a safe neighborhood. When you are looking for a new home, apartment, or place to build, you will know how to find out if a neighborhood is good and safe. I have several ideas for ways to determine neighborhood crime rates before you move.

How to find out crime in a neighborhood

Visit and Talk. If you are able to, visit the neighborhood. Visit during all times of the day. One of the best pieces of advice our realtor gave us was to visit the neighborhood at night. Doing so confirmed that it felt quiet and safe, even in the dark of night. Also, talk to the neighbors. Find folks out working on their lawn, talk to people at the neighborhood market, or ring some doorbells. Ask about the safety of the area. Most people will be happy to give you honest feedback.

Research the city. If you are moving long-distance and are unable to visit the area, or if you want to do your due diligence, research the city online. Check the city’s official website for crime information. Search for “City of ___” like “City of Chicago” and find the official website (tip: it usually ends in .gov). Then search for links labeled crime rate, new residents, community data, relocation, facts, or the like. Also search for the city’s police department site. Often these sites will report more detailed and localized crime rate information.

Local news. Local newspapers and TV stations can give you a look into the crime of the area. Check these websites to see stories of local interest. Make notes of neighborhoods mentioned often. If they are newsworthy with crime stories, you might want to steer clear.

Crime Websites. There are many websites devoted to neighborhood crime. One of the best websites for crime rates is neighborhoodscout.com. On this website, you’ll be able to find out crime rates by address. Then, compare the types of crimes in a particular neighborhood; learn the overall crime rate, view crimes per square mile, and much more. While most of the crime statistics are for paid-subscribers, there is some data you can get for free.

CrimeReports.com is a great website where you can compare crime statistics by address and see the crime that has occurred recently in the area.

FamilyWatchdog.us combines information from the state sex offender registry so you can see if your neighborhood has any registered sex offenders nearby. You can even sign up for alerts is a new registered sex offender lives near your area.

City-data.com also gives TONS of information about everything from home sales, median income, crime rates and more.

No matter how you choose to investigate, make sure your neighborhood is safe. And once you settle on a neighborhood, give U-Pack® a call. We are ready to help you make your move easy and affordable. Get a free moving quote and see how you can move with U-Pack!