I'm looking at properties to invest in Jacksonville, FL and have been researching its neighborhoods online because I'm in New Jersey. I looked up several websites with reviews of the best and worst neighborhoods and have read info in BP and other online forums about them. Yet, when I research those "bad" areas through Google Maps, I see pride of ownership with many well cared for building structures and landscaping. Even though there may be a higher number of crimes, it still seems to me like a neighborhood I won't have so much trouble with if I buy a rental property in it. I'm in Jersey and bad areas here have buildings with either broken or boarded up doors and windows, graffiti, trash, loitering, etc. This doesn't seem to be the case with the "bad" neighborhoods of Jacksonville, FL. Can anyone shed some light on this? Thanks!
I grew up in what was consistently ranked one of the 20 most dangerous cities in America by the FBI for nearly my whole life, Chelsea MA. It had no boarded up houses or graffitti like you may have had in Jersey. Appearances can be deceptive, especially on a google street view.
@Pedro Duarte Every major city and suburbs have their good and bad areas. Geographically Jacksonville is one of the largest cities in America. I would reach out to a few local experts and get their insight regarding the city.