A home security system provides unmatched safety within your house. When you and your family are at home, nothing can threaten you without your awareness.
Outside of your home, however, your family is less safe. In some places, just letting your kids ride bikes outside or leaving your car parked on the street is enough to invite trouble.
Choosing a safe neighborhood is one of the most important parts of picking a new home. To give your family a home they can enjoy and feel safe in, use these tips to check the safety of each potential neighborhood.
1. Check for sex offenders
Sex offenders have to register their addresses on the National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW). This information is publicly available, but you won’t know about any sex offenders in your neighborhood until you look for the information.
If you have children or are a woman living alone, the NSOPW should be the first stop in your research.
On the website, you can search for specific addresses or zip codes to see how many sex offenders live nearby. The database includes pictures of the offenders, their addresses, and details of their crimes.
Along with keeping you from accidentally becoming a sex offender’s next-door neighbor, the NSOPW can help you stay aware of who lives in your neighborhood.
2. View crime statistics
Another great way to get a feel for an area’s safety is through crime data. Check websites such as SpotCrime and CrimeReports to see how many crimes have been reported around your home.
You can usually find information about the types of crimes, such as violent crime, organized crime, and property crime, as well. Be sure to pay attention to the dates of the crimes to see if there have been recent spikes or declines.
Crime data is an important safety factor, but it doesn’t tell the whole story. Research the total number, not just the percentage, of crimes in the area. See if these incidents are kept to specific sections or if it is prevalent throughout the neighborhood.
3. Visit the neighborhood
Data is helpful, but it doesn’t give you the full picture. Take the time to visit the area and get a feel for it. If possible, come by at different times of the day to see if the vibe changes after dark or on the weekend.
As you walk or drive around, look for:
- Kids playing outside
- Community events
- Thriving local businesses
- General upkeep
People like to invest in safe communities. If small businesses are doing well and the area seems to be kept up, there’s a good chance that it’s a great place to live.
Though home security systems are a common way to protect residences, keep an eye on the safety measures people take. Bars on the windows, an overabundance of cameras around businesses, and numerous guard dog signs are generally indicators that the neighborhood is a high-crime area.
4. Talk to the neighbors
No one knows the neighborhood better than the people who live there. While you’re visiting the area, strike up conversations with some of the people you meet. You can ask questions such as:
- What do you think about the level of crime in this area?
- Do you think this is a safe neighborhood? Why/why not?
- How long have you lived here? Has the neighborhood’s safety changed during that time?
- Is this a good place to move my family?
Many people are happy to share their thoughts on the community. Along with an insider’s look at the neighborhood, they can provide information you can’t get anywhere else. You can ask about the local schools, eccentric neighbors, and even if they know about any issues with the home you’re looking at.
Since these people might be your neighbors, now is a great time to build connections with them.
5. Consider the location
When you think about safety, crime is usually the first thing that comes to mind. Unfortunately, your family’s safety can be threatened by a variety of dangers.
If you have children or pets, for example, consider your new home’s proximity to busy roads. How much danger will they be in if they get away from you and run into the road? Unenclosed pools, ponds, lakes, and rivers are other dangers to consider.
Streetlights are another feature to look for. How much lighting does the neighborhood have at night?
Are there plenty of sidewalks and crosswalks nearby or will your kids have to walk on or near the road?
Is there a fire hydrant near your home? Where are the local fire stations and police stations?
Consider all of the potential hazards to make sure your new home is safe in every way.
6. Use a neighborhood safety tool
There are numerous apps that focus on neighborhood safety. Some focus on specific areas of concern, such as crime and sex offenders. Others review several factors to offer a comprehensive look at the safety in any particular location.
Here’s a quick look at some of these tools.
NextDoor
This app creates a private social network for every neighborhood. Users can share news about recent break-ins, report concerns, or share safety tips. NextDoor is a great way to stay updated on community happenings. Plus, it’s free to use!
NeighborhoodScout
This website creates profiles of neighborhoods so you can find the right fit. It provides information about crime rates, risks, and trends to help you measure the area’s safety.
You can use this tool to search for neighborhoods by income level. It also tells you whether the homes are mostly owned or rented. For an annual fee, you can use the website to search for your ideal neighborhood.
AreaVibes
AreaVibes creates livability scores based on crime rates, schools, cost of living, employment, weather, and more. It provides crime reports, reviews from locals, and more to help you evaluate the area. It’s free to use and a great way to evaluate your potential new home.
