Best way of judging an area?
Discussion
Follow this thread. Sums up towns in a nutshell :-)
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Spend lots of time there (at different times of the day and week).
Talk to people who live there (knock on neighbour's doors, go for a drink in the local).
Look at how well looked after the neighbour's houses and gardens are.
Study google earth.
Usual due diligence checks on flooding, planning applications etc.
Hope for the best.
Talk to people who live there (knock on neighbour's doors, go for a drink in the local).
Look at how well looked after the neighbour's houses and gardens are.
Study google earth.
Usual due diligence checks on flooding, planning applications etc.
Hope for the best.
WinstonWolf said:
Stay in a hotel/B&B in the area and soak it up on foot for a day.
That's the approach I took and second the local boozer approach. Saturday night, local pub. If there's several, small pub crawl.Gives you an idea of the worst of the demographic in the surroundings, plus I ticked the box of making sure there was a decent local.
wseed said:
There used to be a site called "Up My Street" I think it's now renamed to this one http://www.findahood.com/locations that has statistics on areas crime, education...
As others have said though there's no substitute for how you feel while you're there.
Thanks. That was useful (if a bit off-putting). The postcode gives higher-than-average scores for crime, ASB, and single parents. I'm not sure if it's being distorted by a nearby Council estate As others have said though there's no substitute for how you feel while you're there.
When moving to a completely alien city a few years back, I once got into a black cab and told the guy 'drive me around a bit and tell me what's good.'
I was in that cab for half a day. Cost me a fortune. But it was worth it. He showed me the very best bits and dropped me off at a few estate agents where I came to realise I could not afford those parts. He then quickly showed me the bits he wouldn't want to live in. We talked generally about the city and we drove through some of the middle-market stuff with him pointing out areas that looked good, but were known to be trouble. He showed me where the tube stations were, were traffic got bad at certain times; all things I would not have known if I'd just had a look around by myself.
If it's a city you're thinking of and can physically get there, this is a good idea. Although I guess it depends on the willingness of the driver. I struck lucky as mine was talkative and was more than happy to sit in his cab reading the paper (with the meter running!) while I stopped off at a few agents he picked out for me and I generally looked lost.
I was in that cab for half a day. Cost me a fortune. But it was worth it. He showed me the very best bits and dropped me off at a few estate agents where I came to realise I could not afford those parts. He then quickly showed me the bits he wouldn't want to live in. We talked generally about the city and we drove through some of the middle-market stuff with him pointing out areas that looked good, but were known to be trouble. He showed me where the tube stations were, were traffic got bad at certain times; all things I would not have known if I'd just had a look around by myself.
If it's a city you're thinking of and can physically get there, this is a good idea. Although I guess it depends on the willingness of the driver. I struck lucky as mine was talkative and was more than happy to sit in his cab reading the paper (with the meter running!) while I stopped off at a few agents he picked out for me and I generally looked lost.
Errr...ignore my profile...it's a p155take of "The Wrong Manns" 
I'm an accountant, working in North Manchester, not far from Bury.
The links posted (Findahood / Police) were informative if a bit worrying - seems to be a fair amount of ASB - I think I'll spend a couple of evenings driving round to see what it's like. It's one of those areas where the stats could quite easily be distorted because "Good" areas are very close to "Not so Good" areas.
I'm an accountant, working in North Manchester, not far from Bury.
The links posted (Findahood / Police) were informative if a bit worrying - seems to be a fair amount of ASB - I think I'll spend a couple of evenings driving round to see what it's like. It's one of those areas where the stats could quite easily be distorted because "Good" areas are very close to "Not so Good" areas.
the problem here is that its risky using someone else's judgement to base your own view on something that is so subjective...
you'll only really know by spending real time in the place and that's not always viable
so the best proxy is to find people like you that are in the same place in their 'life journey' and see what they've done and ended up...
not sure the above makes much sense but you know what I mean
you'll only really know by spending real time in the place and that's not always viable
so the best proxy is to find people like you that are in the same place in their 'life journey' and see what they've done and ended up...
not sure the above makes much sense but you know what I mean
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Before I even clicked that link, I knew it was Cobham!!We have some friends who live there and it never ceases to amaze me how bloody busy it is around there. Yet, we are 30 minutes away on the Hants / Berks border and never have any traffic issues. In fact, it is quicker for me to drive from RG20 to Guildford in the rush hour (about 37 miles) than my mate who lives in Cobham (about 9 miles)
Fittster said:
Price is the best indication. Can anyone thing of an example where an area is dodgy yet the prices are high?
Yes - many "nice" areas in Cities border scumsville.Locally we have Moseley and Edgbaston - some really nice houses surrounded by dross - as shown by the burglary rates.
The Police website shows crime stats for an area which is handy.
A quick guide to areas - what cars are parked outside the houses.
You won't find perfection anywhere.I live in a detached house nothing special. But to have the four walls independent from a neighbour is important to me.
We are lucky quiet cul de sac.Most of us neighbours get on and help each other.
People can be very annoying with each other,you only find out until you live there.Parking issues is one of many.
We are lucky quiet cul de sac.Most of us neighbours get on and help each other.
People can be very annoying with each other,you only find out until you live there.Parking issues is one of many.
When buying house in the past I have used the same sorts of techniques as others have already mentioned. Definitely worth visiting the area/ road a few different times of day or week to get an impression of how safe you feel it is. Only by doing this did I realise that the cul de sac I currently live in has absolutely no street lighting, if this kind of thing bothers you its better to find out sooner than later. The state of front gardens and cars on driveways can be a fairly good indication too.
Might also be worth having a look if there are any nuggets of info to be found by seeing how the road(s) rate on www.ratemystreet.co.uk
Might also be worth having a look if there are any nuggets of info to be found by seeing how the road(s) rate on www.ratemystreet.co.uk
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