With the median price of a home in the US hovering around $400,000, it’s paramount that you choose a neighbourhood that has a low crime rate and future growth and development potential.

But how do you tell whether a neighbourhood is safe?

Well, there are many things to look out for. Whether you’re moving to the neighbouring state or far, far away, this guide will help you find a low-crime area to relocate to. We’ll also share some tips on how to avoid becoming a victim of crime.

How to Gauge the Safety of a Neighbourhood

The last thing you want is to move to a neighbourhood where you can’t live in peace or walk alone at night. From noisy neighbours and violent crimes to theft and occult groups—choose a bad neighbourhood, and what awaits you is a daily dose of nightmares.

Avoid becoming a victim of neighbourhood crimes by doing your homework well. Here’s how to find a low-crime area to relocate to.

#1 - Use a Crime Mapping Service

Not sure of how a neighbourhood ranks in terms of crime rate? Use a crime mapping service! Websites like SpotCrime and CrimeReports do a stellar job of collecting crime reports.

By reading through these websites, you’ll get to know how safe a certain neighbourhood is. Simply enter the address of where you plan to relocate, and you’ll get a list of the crimes committed in the area and its surroundings.

#2 - Check the National Sex Offender Website (NSOPW)

The NSOPW is another safety resource you could use to gauge the safety of a neighbourhood. Maintained by the US Department of Justice, the National Sex Offender Website provides info on where sex offenders live, work, and go to school.

This valuable tool provides offender data from all 50 states and territories in one search, allowing you to decide what neighbourhoods to strike off from your list. Simply enter an address, and the website will display a list of sex offenders living nearby.

#3 - Tour the Neighbourhood

Even if a neighbourhood is poised for growth owing to the upcoming development projects, its general state should tell you a lot about its safety.

A safe neighbourhood is usually clean, with no abandoned buildings and overgrown bushes along the road. Residents look after it and strive to keep it clean and safe.

When touring the neighbourhood, take note of dirty yards, broken windows, neglected roads, and street lighting. Some of the safest neighbourhoods, like Manor, Texas, have state-of-the-art public transportation systems, making it easy to go around the area, even at night. 

Houses are relatively new and in great condition, with many built within the last decade. Planning to move to Manor? Browse available Manor homes for sale here.

#4 - Talk to People in the Area

Nothing can give you a clearer picture of the state of the neighbourhood than the people living in the area. Some may have even fallen victim to crimes in the area, and others witnessed it first-hand, so talk to as many residents as possible.

Ask these questions to get a clearer picture of the crime rate and types of crimes in the area.

• Are there sex offenders in the neighbourhood?
• What about cases of child abductions?
• Are there any police posts nearby?
• How safe do you feel in the neighbourhood at night?
• Is drug use common in the neighbourhood?
• Do you feel unsafe in your daily life?

You could also visit neighbourhood community forums or join Facebook groups to see what people are saying about crime in the neighbourhood you intend to move to.

How to Avoid Becoming a Victim of Crime in a Bad Neighbourhood

In the event you end up in a dangerous neighbourhood, what should you do to stay safe?

• Avoid walking alone at night
• Dress modestly – avoid any seductive or provocative dressing
• Always keep your phone charged in case of an emergency
• Always keep your doors locked
• Reinforce your doors and windows with steel rods

If you’re accused of a crime you didn’t commit, seek legal counsel. Once you’ve requested an attorney, the officer arresting you won’t ask any further questions.

We hope this guide will help you find a safe neighbourhood to relocate to. Feel free to comment and share!