What's the best way to learn about a new area?

I'm going to be relocating, and one of the big sacrifices I'm making is that I'll be losing all my local area knowledge. In my current area I have a good mental picture of every town, it's median home price, public perception, crime, schools, etc..

Now of course I can bug a real estate agent, but it's hard to ask for a list of every town in a 30mi radius and their opinion of each.

Can anyone recommend any resources for my research? Public perception is probably the most important to me, but of course the hardest to grasp.

Dan

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 04:36AM

Ofgift Gift

· Tucson, Arizona

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Jan 29 '08, 05:24 AM

This is probably NO help, but maybe somebody here knows what I'm talking about--I can't find what info I used to have:
there is a website (!) at which people ask such location questions as yours, and real people respond. People who live there now, or used to, or maybe just spent some time there.
I used it to determine if _I_ wanted to move to a particular place. I'll see if I can find it.
here's 1 site you might find somewhat helpful: http://www.scorecard.org/
and another: http://www.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/windpoweringamerica/wind_maps.asp
another is to google: detailed profile of (city and state name)
OR, elevation of (city and state name)
Some cities are listed under both, and they give different information. I prefer the " Detailed profile" but it's not always available for an area.

I'll keep looking for the other :mrgreen:

AND, here it is! http://www.city-data.com/forum/

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 04:36AM

P NW

· OR

1,467 posts
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Jan 29 '08, 08:04 AM

The census bureau keeps useful figures. There are webpages that give facts about different cities.

There are blogs fror just about every city in existance.

You can find ot about the local weather from weather underground.

Criagslist is the best resource, if there is one for that town. You can look at rentals and houses for sale with photos.

Most real estate offices have web pages with their listings.

I like to gogle " vacationing in ....." That will bring up all sorts of interesting stuff.

But what it comes down to, is you are going to have to get into your car and drive around and meet a lot of people and talk to them.

And *ahem* you could probably give the name of the city and find someone on this or another real estate forum, or a landlord forum, that knows that city and would share a few thoughts with you.

One lasrt suggewst that will yield tons of information. Go to the local junior college and take either an art class or a foreign language class. Those are classes where you get to know your classmates, and college students know a lot about what is going on.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 04:37AM

Michael Shadow

Multi-family Investor · Bellefonte, Pennsylvania

1,042 posts
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Jan 29 '08, 06:03 PM

You could also check out apartmentratings.com

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 04:37AM

Eric Wang

Real Estate Investor · San Jose, California

228 posts
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Jan 29 '08, 09:46 PM

I usually look at school rating. Areas with high rating usually are in nicer area, also homes are more expensive.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 04:37AM

Yvonne Griffin

Real Estate Investor · Raleigh, North Carolina

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Jan 30 '08, 12:06 AM

I would have to vouch for the citydata sit as well. They have very detailed and accurate information on a plethora of cities in the U.S.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 04:37AM

Unknown Profile

· Charlotte, NC

74 posts
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Jan 30 '08, 03:03 AM

Originally posted by "ofgift"

This is probably NO help, but maybe somebody here knows what I'm talking about--I can't find what info I used to have:
there is a website (!) at which people ask such location questions as yours, and real people respond. People who live there now, or used to, or maybe just spent some time there.
I used it to determine if _I_ wanted to move to a particular place. I'll see if I can find it.
here's 1 site you might find somewhat helpful: http://www.scorecard.org/
and another: http://www.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/windpoweringamerica/wind_maps.asp
another is to google: detailed profile of (city and state name)
OR, elevation of (city and state name)
Some cities are listed under both, and they give different information. I prefer the " Detailed profile" but it's not always available for an area.

I'll keep looking for the other :mrgreen:

AND, here it is! http://www.city-data.com/forum/

Thanks! I like that city data site, I'll be on there often

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 04:37AM

Carole Maldonado

Residential Real Estate Broker · Los Angeles County, California

23 posts
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Jan 30 '08, 03:35 AM

I agree with looking online for sites that have data per the area.
if you are planning to by and u are using a realtor then they could send you demographic reports on the homes you are looking at.

We moved approx ever year investing in real estate. I have 3 children that I was concerned about so I see your concern. I am not sure how far you are planning to move but For me the best thing to do was to physically drive the areas especially at night and weekends. So If you can get your hands on data via internet and narrow your search, then drive some of the areas at night or after 6pm you will learn alot. Notice the amount of cars in residential areas, if parked in the yards, excessive people around the neighborhood this could be very negative to the neighborhood. But if you see walkers, joggers, people doing there lawn, washing there cars, involved with others in the area, these can be a possitive thing.

I hope this helps

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 04:37AM

Josh Gibbons

Real Estate Investor · Bethlehem, PA

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Jan 30 '08, 07:14 AM

I know your not there yet, but you can't beat walking the streets and talking to people.

Take a weekend trip down there to a few areas your considering, and get out there and just walk/drive around, look at properties, talk to people, etc.....One weekend trip is worth hours upon hours of looking online

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 04:37AM

Unknown Profile

· Charlotte, NC

74 posts
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Jan 30 '08, 09:51 AM

Thanks guys, I did the weekend trip thing once, and I'm about to do it again. I'll be doing my own marketing for sellers and not using a real estate agent, so I'll mostly be on my own unless I can strike a deal with agent in exchange for some leads on listings.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 04:37AM