Moving to a new area is always exciting, but there’s a lot to think about when it comes to making your decision. Especially if you’re raising a family, being intentional about choosing where to live is essential.
A pretty neighbourhood where all the gardens are perfectly landscaped and manicured is lovely to live in, but safety is even more important. Finding a neighbourhood that you feel safe in will contribute to your overall safety, provide some peace of mind, and improve your quality of life.
But if you’re new to a city (or even a new country), how can you know whether or not you’re safe? Here are a few things to look out for.
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Safety Infrastructure
Of course, you first need to look into the obvious factors – i.e. safety infrastructure. Consider whether there is a strong presence of law enforcement around, as well as visible police patrols. You could even enquire about even more advanced tech like automatic license plate recognition cameras.
Emergency services are another important consideration – take a look into the accessibility of hospitals, clinics, and fire stations in and around the neighbourhood. This will give you a better idea of what response times might be like and how far you may need to travel in a medical emergency.
Crime Rates
This might be a little extra effort, but you can also do some of your own, more in-depth research to determine whether the area is safe. See if you can learn about the crime rates in the area and compare and contrast these to other neighbourhoods you’ve considered.
Consider also the types of crimes that are most common in the area, whether or not they’re violent and how often they seem to occur. You might be able to find this information online, but you could also find some locals to chat with (either in person or in an online community) about how they experience safety in their homes.
Lighting and Visibility
A top tip given by countless real estate agents is to take a night-time drive past any home you’re considering buying or renting. This will give you a feel for how safe the area is at night and whether or not you feel comfortable in the area.
Check out for good lighting and visibility in the streets and in public spaces, and be aware and cautious of any neighbourhoods that have an abundance of dark and secluded areas. You can also take a look at whether law enforcement is active after dark and if they would have good visibility.
Community Engagement
Finally, remember that an active neighbourhood community is a much safer one. If residents are involved and active in community safety and more likely to look out for one another, you’re likely to feel much safer in your space.
The benefits of a neighbourhood watch cannot be underestimated, and other social activities and events can create a bond between you and your neighbours that will help you to feel like someone out there has your back.