There are a lot of factors to consider when moving house. One factor that might be a high priority for you is how safe the area is. This might especially be important if you have children or are planning on starting a family. You want to make sure that you’re moving to a place where your kids can safely play outside.
Even if you don’t have kids, living in a safe area makes it easier to relax in your own home and reduces the risk of suffering costly or dangerous break-ins. It helps to know that it’s safe to park your car outside your home or relax in your own backyard. So, try to include the following steps in your house-hunting process.
Research local crime statistics
A quick Google search can provide some valuable information about the crime rates in the neighborhood and the wider area that you’re looking at. Websites such as AreaVibes and NeighborhoodScout provide local crime statistics down to a neighborhood-level as well as comparing these rates to national averages.
If you’re moving with kids, then it is also worth checking the National Sex Offender Public Website to find out if there are any registered sex offenders in the area.
Visit the house at night
Most house viewings take place during the day when it’s light outside and the neighborhood is usually quiet. Before making the decision to purchase a house, it’s a good idea to see the other side of things first. What’s the street like at night, after dark? Are your neighbors playing loud music and throwing parties? Are there suspicious characters skulking around?
Even if you can’t arrange a viewing of the house in the evening, it’s still advisable to walk or drive around the neighborhood after dark to get an impression of what it’s like.
Ask the neighbors
Another great way to find out more about the area is to ask the people who live there. You could ask the owners of the house you’re looking to buy, but remember that they may not give you the whole picture depending on how desperate they are to sell.
You could, instead, ask passers-by that you see on the street or even knock on the neighbors’ doors and ask if they’re willing to talk to you. It’s also good to find out if there is any kind of neighborhood watch group set up in the area.
No matter how safe the area is where you live, it’s always good sense to have a home security system looking after you, your home, and your family. For home security equipment and installation around Greensboro, Kernersville, Winston Salem, and High Point, NC, contact Carolina Alarm.