Moving into a new area

[dyzio]

I might be looking for a new place in the near future.

What ways would you recommend to check the new neighbourhood? Obviously go and have a look around, but any other ideas?

Can police reports be checked online for certain areas?

What would you be checking before deciding on buying a flat in an area new to you?


Cheers
dyz

[TamSV]

Where are you going? Someone might have local knowledge.

Comparing prices and rents is some kind of guide as to where people want to live. www.upmystreet.com gives local crime stats and other info.

When I moved to Birmingham I rented a few places before I found an area I liked and could afford. There's nothing like the knowledge experience brings, especially in big cities like Brum where a really nice area is often 2 streets away from a really **** one!

Upmystreet is good but i seem to recall the localness of some of the reports it shows can vary. You may get stats for a single postcode or you may end up with the figures for, say, a whole council area so you may need to read with care.

Hard to beat a first hand look around too though. I always like to check out the nearest boozers as a ready reckoner. If you leave with body parts missing, leave. If you don't want to leave, stay!

police / council will provide you with crime stats

Don't think upmystreet is any good in Scotland. Check the property during the day, and also go back at night to make sure you're not in the middle of a hang out area, or drinking area. Get a feel for it at different times of day, once you've narrowed it down, ask people.

[pookie]

depends what you are avoiding, have a look at the types of cars in the street. Try and get an idea of the demographic of the people that are living there. If there are schools nearby, pubs, off licenses to give you an idea of the foot traffic.

[dyzio]

I'm staying in Aberdeen but in a different part of town, and probably buying a place, hence the caution.

I'll check the website and try to drive around the areas over the weekend to see what they're like.

Cheers.

[widepants]

The problem mate ,is that it only takes one chavvy family to move into a street to bring down the whole tone of the place.

Some things you may not have thought of

Google the street name and look for any news it has appeared in

Check your mobile phone has coverage, is Sky TV available (if you use it), or cable (if you use/want that)

Check if it's in a flood risk area/floodplain. Think you can check that online somewhere

Swing by at 9 or 10pm on Sat night. It's only a quick snapshot but it's better than nothing.. If you see a car being burnt out you'll be glad you did!

Knock on the neighbours door and ask what the street is like. Most people instinctively say their street is nice, but you can also check them out! First impressions and all that

You can use a browser plugin called PropertyBee (google for it) to check the history of a RightMove listing, a must if you are going to buy

Check house prices online for the street (you probably DID think of that one)

Look for damp yourself when you view it, run a hand down external walls on the inside and look for mold in the corners

Personal preference, but what I live near is a huge factor for me. I live right near a train station now and despite not using it that often, I'd hate to live far away from one now! It's so convenient. So check what you want to live near, station/schools/bus route/takeaways/supermarket/newsagent

I could go on for ever so I'll stop now

[TamSV]

Originally Posted by sc00by

Stuff

Some excellent ideas there.

Originally Posted by sc00by

Check if it's in a flood risk area/floodplain. Think you can check that online somewhere

You'll find the Scottish flood maps on the SEPA website here. I use them alot at work. Scroll down to the bottom of the page for the button to view the map.