When choosing a neighborhood, the level of safety can have a big impact on your daily life and your peace of mind. Safe neighborhoods combine multiple positive factors, including well-lit streets, active communities, responsive emergency services and community-oriented programs. In addition, good schools, plenty of parks and other amenities, and safe, well-maintained homes contribute to a sense of safety and security in a neighborhood.
To evaluate a potential neighborhood, you can use several online tools like FBI crime data, crime mapping apps, and neighborhood-based social media groups. These tools can help you find information about local crime, demographics, and cost of living.
You can also visit a potential neighborhood at different times of day to assess noise levels and air quality. Check EPA air quality data for the area, and avoid neighborhoods near highways or industrial zones that create microclimates with poorer air conditions.
Strong communities show evidence of collaboration and trust through shared recreational activities, clean-up days, and volunteer initiatives. These efforts can help deter criminal activity and provide a sense of security to residents.
If you’re interested in joining a community-based organization, look for one that facilitates communication and offers training for members on safety topics. You can also ask local police whether their force offers safety presentations to community and school groups.
Consider neighborhood crime watch apps that enable neighbors to report suspicious activity, such as the free Nextdoor app or other similar tools for residential neighborhoods and gated communities. These tools can improve communication and deter crime by enabling neighbors to immediately report any incidents or threats, often with photos and detailed descriptions.