Is this neighborhood safe?

It’s a good question to ask, but what do you consider safe? No land is Utopia...even small towns will have their share of criminal activity.

From Dictionary.com,

safe [seyf] Show IPA adjective, saf·er, saf·est, noun, adjective

1. secure from liability to harm, injury, danger, or risk: a safe place.

2. free from hurt, injury, danger, or risk: to arrive safe and  sound.

3. involving little or no risk of mishap,error, etc.: a safe estimate.

4. dependable or trustworthy: a safe guide.

5. careful to avoid danger or controversy: a safe player; a safe play.


So how does one determine if a neighborhood is safe?
When people ask me this question, I generally refer them to various sites.

CrimeReports.com - This is probably my favorite. I entered my home address in Alameda CA, chose the type of crime activity I wanted to see (for example, homicide, robbery, assault) and “layered” them. This is what it shows.

Crime reports in Alameda CA

We also have Crimespotting in San Francisco and Oakland CA areas.



Spot Crime  This is another good resource. Just type in the address. One can even sign up for email alerts for specific neighborhoods.

Neighborhood Scout --- here’s a video on how to navigate their site that provides information on the neighborhood, public schools, real estate values appreciation, crime rates, and even find a real estate agent. Some of the information is free, while others are by subscription.

Trulia also has a terrific map that even provides dates and types of criminal activity within the area.

Sperling’s Best Places has some good information, too, and allows you to compare cities at different angles: schools, climate, cost of living, crime rates, etc.

AreaConnect is another interesting site that enables you to compare two cities. For example, here’s comparison of where I used to live in Orlando FL and where I live now in Alameda CA

Crime comparison

We’re lucky we have such resources to help us find out as much as we need to about certain neighborhoods. These help in making decisions on where we choose to live.

 
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8 Comments on Is this neighborhood safe? How does it compare to other cities?

MAY
27
1,023,636 Points 15 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

That is a loaded question that we have to be careful when answering.  I refer people to those crime reports. It is a subjective question.
6:57pm • #1
729,199 Points 103 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hi Pacita - Thanks for sharing all those links - this is a question we frequently get, and its always good to have lots of information resources available.

Featured in BananaTude!

'Tude!

 
7:42pm • #2
617,285 Points 60 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Gene -- hard (and not advisable) to answer this question. Almost like part of steering. Best to refer to other resources and let them come to their own conclusion.

Dick -- thanks for the feature.
8:04pm • #3
230,369 Points 9 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

This is a great thing to check out before purchasing any home.  As an agent, it's not something that you can address but having the resources to report on this is important. 
11:50pm • #4
MAY
28
1,067,654 Points 68 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

That IS a frequently asked question....safe...good...friendly....not for us to decide ....have a restful holiday !
4:28am • #5
617,285 Points 60 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Doug --- always a good idea to share this resource whenever someone asks that question

Sally and David -- I posted the link on Facebook, and it's been shared since then. I've been so intrigued with CrimeReports that I checked out nearly all of my previous home addresses out of curiosity
9:03am • #6
970,267 Points 245 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I agree with those above....fair housing laws prohibit us from badmouthing or declaring any neighborhood safe although they can go to various sites to check out what they believe may or may not be.
9:05am • #7
617,285 Points 60 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Sally --- Whenever someone asks me about why I chose to live where I do, I can confidently say I feel safe. And then if they ask about other areas, I refer them to websites like the ones I mentioned so that they can see for themselves. But we can't tell them what areas to stay away from, or where they should concentrate their search. That will be part of the buyer's own investigation.
9:19am • #8

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Pacita Rainmaker_large

Pacita Dimacali - ePRO, SRES, CDPE, MBA Alain Pinel in Alameda County CA

Oakland, CA

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Alain Pinel

Address: 6211 La Salle Ave, Oakland, CA, 94611

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