How do you know if it’s a war zone?

Question

Hi all, We have been looking through  a ton of properties and listing to every book and podcast. I have heard the words  war zone constantly and I’m nervous about it because I feel like we might be on the edge. Not on purpose.. we are just trying to stay within a certain price point.. we are looking at crime maps and location.. But a lot of the areas we can afford have been the ”not great”  areas.. they show signs that are  up and coming and aren’t the worst.. but they are still probably not the best.. any other tips or thoughts on this?? This will be out of state so our comfort level is not great.. thanks!

Jim K. · Answer

The neighborhood gas station/convenience store is the best place to start your investigation:

• The three-foot-high signs that say "WE ACCEPT EBT" mounted outside the doorway.
• The gas station does business after hours through bulletproof glass.
• At least two people coming into the gas station during a 20 minute visit who want the clerk to, "Pu' fi' dollahz on Pump 3."
• Guy hanging around outside the gas station selling onesies.
• Other guy hanging around the gas station asking for "'Leven dollahz, c'mon man, I knows you gah's'leven dollahz."
• Security guard inside the place wearing no uniform and no weapon who at any time during your visit greets anyone he calls "Cuz" and who greets him using a doubled first name, i.e.: "Yo 'sup, Ray-Ray?"

You can also find clues on the Web through Google:

• Googling the name of the neighborhood/municipality turns up at least one shooting during a parking dispute in the last six months.
• Google turns up three shootings or more per year at the local playground.
• Google reveals at least one shooting funeral in the last year at a house church in the neighborhood across from a wing joint that does an all-you-can-eat Friday nights.
• Google the name reveals any social activist or reverend quoted as saying in reference to any police-related incident in the area the phrase "No justice, no peace."

There are other giveaways:

• Food deserts.
• The Catholic churches in the area all do fried-fish Fridays during Lent out of their permanent soup kitchen facilities.
• The PJs are within easy walking distance.
• The firecrackers start on Memorial Day and end on Labor Day (this may be Pennsylvania-specific).
•  At high noon on a weekday there are three or more charcoal grills smoking in the front yards of any given block.
• Two or more cars up on cinder blocks on any given block.
• Pit bulls in yard with low fences bearing "Trespassers Will Be Eaten" signs.
• Watch for the crazy cat lady's house. It'll be the one with twenty cats lounging around the front porch on a warm day.  There will be multiple lawn ornaments to warn you. Do not buy within two blocks of these.

Jill F. · Answer

Multiple boarded up houses on a street. Bars on the windows of the metro PCS store.

But probably the best way to know is to subscribe to the local paper and then keep up with the news. Every time there is a shooting in my city, I check out the news reports and then check out the  location on google maps. It doesn't take too long to  develop a pretty good idea about where the "problem areas" are located. Our local PD makes all police reports public by precinct as well so you can see exactly what kinds of crimes are being reported.

Kristin Caras · Answer

@Maureen Nixon if you can, drive around the area and ask yourself if you'd feel comfortable getting out of the car and walking a few blocks. Crime maps and keeping up with the local news helps. I work near one of these "war zones" and the crime/danger really varies by street, so maybe you would be better more on the outskirts of the area you're interested in? You may be able to catch a turning market but it is hard to do and you can get burned.

Matthew Paul · Answer

@Maureen Nixon  Buying cheap doesnt mean you are buying smart .

Ryan Avila · Answer

I’m not really sure what your asking? A war zone is the worst high crime area that someone can buy in.

Maureen Nixon · Answer

thank you..but I guess what I’m wondering is what is considered “high crime”? Say level 1 is the best and 5 is the worst.. if it’s between a  2 and 3 is that considered “war zone”?

@Chad Gaddie

Chad Gaddie · Answer

@Maureen Nixon I think it would be pretty risky to be out of state and contemplating a high crime area. I’d either keep looking, or keep saving to buy in a better spot.

Ryan Avila · Answer

Any of the following are signs of a war area.

Constant sirens and helicopters.

Gun fire at night.

Shoes thrown over powerlines, indicates drug sales nearby.

Seemingly able bodied working age people just hanging out during the day.

Large number of liquor stores and check cashing stores.

Bulletproof glass in nearby stores.

Bail bonds.

Rent-a-center.

Lots of Laundromats.

Bars on windows.

How do you know if it’s a war zone?

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