Relocation can be an incredibly exciting experience. New environments with new people usually lead to new opportunities and new memories shared.
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At the same time, relocation can be understandably overwhelming. Deciding which neighborhood to choose and finding a price perfect for the budget and taste are usually on your mind.
While these are major components to a smooth relocation process, it is also important to keep safety in mind.
In order to find out the safety of a neighborhood, it might be time to pull out that detective’s hat and get some research done. Research is truly paramount in this process. When it is time to relocate the family, here are four great secrets worth remembering.
Do a background check
In the age of the Internet, it is so simple to do a crime rate check on any area. Government websites usually hold information about registered sex offenders in the area as well. Call the local police department of the particular area. Get a good idea of what the police calls sound like on a day-to-day basis.
If crime is rampant, the police won’t lie. In those cases, look elsewhere.
Make multiple trips
Take time out of your schedule to visit prospective locations at different times. Visit the area in the morning. Watch and see how many people leave to go to work. Visit at a time when children are on their way home from school.
Are there lots of safety patrols and parents in the vicinity? Check out the area late at night. Loitering and suspicious late night activities aren’t positive indicators. If the streets are quiet and peaceful because families are inside preparing for bed, this is a good sign.
For people looking for a thriving nightlife, a noisy street may be expected and that is okay, too. Areas that come alive with restaurants, boutiques and hangouts that are part of the work-play lifestyle. You can find places with thriving activity of the legal type. In those cases, safety is ensured.
Conduct interviews
These interviews don’t need to be official with a notepad and pen. Simply visit one of the local parks and strike up a conversation with one of the residents. Go into the lobby of one of the buildings and find someone who doesn’t appear to be in a rush.
Residents are some of the best resources because they currently live in the environment and have absolutely nothing to lose when telling the truth. Personal testimonials are worth their weight in gold. Furthermore, visit the Internet and sites like Renters Guide to get a sense for the safety.
There is usually a common denominator to the stories residents share. Make sure safety is one of them.
Be visual
Upon making visits to the desired area, check out the upkeep. Again, go at different times to get a solid assessment of the upkeep. Does the area maintain acceptable curb appeal or does it seem neglected? Go at night and see if the area is well lit.
If it looks like the place needs major maintenance, it usually points to a lack of pride and care for the area in general. When people don’t care about the appearance of the neighborhood, they usually don’t care about the safety of it, either.
By using these different assessment tools, it is fairly easy to get an accurate idea of the safety of a neighborhood. Even though a property might seem ideal, research with due diligence. After all, it is much better to be safe than sorry.
This article uses information from Renters Guide.
Anica Oaks
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