Hello all, I just wanted to mention a website I've been using quite a bit the past few months, NeighborhoodScout.com . It is subscription based for neighborhood specifics (crime rate, schools, appreciation, etc), with varying subscription levels based on volume. You can use it for free indefinitely, without the specific numbers/statistics associated with the neighborhood. What's really cool is that it breaks data down to specific neighborhoods,often identifies trends, and provides vacancy rates, common occupations and incomes, etc. You can also open it in a few windows and cross index criteria to come up with best matching neighborhoods in the given area. Very cool stuff.

There may be other, better programs and sites out there, but I am not familiar with them. All normal verification processes should of course still be used, but of the ten or so test neighborhoods I used when initially utilizing the program with which I was specifically familiar, it was pretty close to dead on. I pretty much just wanted to throw that out there, hope it helps!