7 signs that you should not move into a neighbourhood

Apartment Rental Tips: 7 Signs That You Should Not Move Into a Neighbourhood

For most people, one of the biggest driving factors in choosing apartments for rent is the surrounding neighborhood. Ideally, you want to live in a neighbourhood that isn’t too far away from your work or school, offers a good selection of local amenities, and ultimately, an area where you feel safe.

And while crime can occur in any part of a city, some neighbourhoods are known to have a history of crime-related incidents. However, if you are relatively new to a city you may not know the dangerous neighbourhoods when finding an apartment/room for rent.

Here are seven tell-tale signs that you should not move into a neighbourhood: There is a constant police presence Some people might feel comforted by a large number of police cars patrolling their neighbourhood as it gives them a sense of security. However, when you see an unusually large number of police cars in one neighborhood, it is an unequivocal red flag. A frequent police presence usually implies the neighbourhood has a higher crime rate, so keep an eye out for this.

General conditions of neighbourhood and vehicles One of the more obvious signs that the neighbourhood might be undesirable are the general conditions of the houses and vehicles. If the other houses or apartment buildings in the area are relatively dilapidated, it could be a clear-cut sign that you should steer clear of the area. Also, take a closer look at the streets for garbage and lawns that have not been maintained well. These things are always a good indication that people living in the neighborhood are not concerned about the state of the community.

A lack of people outside

On a warm day in a safe neighborhood, you will typically see people walking around or sitting on their porch, along with kids playing in the park. So if a neighbourhood is relatively sparse with people outdoors, it can often mean that the area is dangerous.

High crime rate You should always check the area’s crime statistics before moving into an apartment. These numbers can usually be found on city police department websites. This is extremely useful to gauge what kinds of disturbances (if any) have recently been reported.

Fails the night check Upon initial inspection, an apartment building can look completely fine during the day. But when the sun goes down this can all change. Take a drive through the neighbourhood at night to get a better sense of the community and keep an eye out for sufficient street lighting, the noise level from nearby houses and apartment buildings, and any otherwise unusual activity.

Lots of graffiti Don’t get me wrong: graffiti is far from being a bad thing. It can be an invaluable art form that provides a voice for young artists and gives a neighbourhood a sense of character. However, when a large number of public and private properties are covered in graffiti, especially in the front of the buildings, it conveys a message that the residents don’t take pride in their neighborhood. There’s also a good chance that someone will graffiti your house or apartment building after you move in.

Lots of pawn shops and cheque cashing centers This last one might not seem as obvious as the other signs, which makes it all the more important. Any area that has a large number of pawn shops and cheque cashing centers is typically known as a lowerincome neighbourhood. And while this doesn’t necessarily mean that it is an undesirable neighbourhood, it’s something you should be aware of when deciding the apartment rental.

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