Being strapped for cash is a reality of life for most college students. Between tuition, books, and fees, students generally don’t have a lot of money left over for necessities like food and rent. Because of this, students tend to search for the cheapest rental available, and often end up in some “sketchy” areas. But sometimes, what seems like a great deal in an okay neighborhood turns out to be a pretty dangerous living situation. Here’s a checklist you can use to make sure your new house is in a safe place:
Attribution: Vancouver Sun
Do your research – Research is the most important thing to do before you move into a new home. You want to know where the home is located, what the surrounding area is like, and what the people that currently live there think. If you’re having flashbacks to your last research paper, don’t sweat it! Researching a potential place to live is a lot more fun than sitting in the library and finding sources. Use online resources like CityData and AreaVibes to get an overview of crime statistics, amenities nearby, and reviews of the area from other people who have lived there. Then, talk to your friends, and see if any of them live nearby. Ask them about their experiences living there, and ask them what they’ve heard from other people. If you have specific questions that you need answered about a neighborhood, head over to Quora or Reddit. Alternately, you can ask for recommendations on Facebook, or even consider asking Google. Be sure to get lots of input from different people!
Attribution: Forbes
Drive around – One of the best ways to explore a neighborhood safely is to do so by car. Get behind the wheel and drive around the neighborhood, being sure to cover all the streets adjacent to the property you’re considering. In addition, be sure to drive by places that you know you’ll be visiting often, such as the grocery store, gas station, park, and bus stop. Ask yourself if you would be comfortable walking to these places alone, and consider that you may need to go to these places at night, when the atmosphere of the neighborhood might be different. Don’t have a car? You can always ask a friend to spend a few minutes riding around town, and if you’re really out of options, Uber and Lyft may be able to help you scope out the area.
Attribution: Daily Mail
Get a digital view – Depending on how long or short your drive was, there might be things that you didn’t get a chance to look at while you were in the area. Don’t worry, technology is here to save the day! You can explore the neighborhood through your computer screen using Google Maps. Simply type in an address, press the street view button, and click on the place you want to see. If you’re on the go, and only have access to your smartphone, you can also download the Google Maps app. Either way, you’ll have access to the area at the touch of a button!
Attribution: YouTube
Hit the pavement – If you’ve already taken a drive and like what you see, you may want to walk the neighborhood with a few friends to get a better understanding of the people and the culture. Walking the streets, rather than driving them, gives you an opportunity to go into stores, chat with locals, and get a more detailed view of the area – one that isn’t confined to your vehicle’s windshield. Like you did on the drive, you should walk routes that you know you will be taking often. Walking these routes also allows you to gain perspective on how far away or spread out things are, and how long it takes to walk to them. While walking, ask yourself if you could handle the distance from your home to the bus stop everyday, and if you could see yourself fitting into the neighborhood. Also, observe how many people are on the street, how spaced out streetlights are, and where emergency services, such as police stations and hospitals, are located.
Attribution: The Huffington Post
Make your decision – The time has come to decide if you are comfortable living in the neighborhood you’ve researched. By the time you hit this point on the checklist, you probably have a solid idea of how you feel. If you are comfortable and confident walking the streets surrounding the property, then go for it! But if you feel uneasy and on edge, even when walking during the day on common routes, then you might want to rethink renting in the area. Remember that it’s ultimately your decision, and that neighborhoods are rarely perfect – the choice should depend entirely on you and your lifestyle.
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