What kind of neighborhood do you live in

They include: Peters, Missouri a suburb of St. Tip: Consider your commute before settling on the suburbs. Subdivisions Whether you long for the small-lot subdivisions that became popular in the Los Angeles area a few years ago or are seeking a large lot with manicured lawns and mature landscaping, subdivisions are still in great demand — especially among families.

They may be located in the suburbs or near the urban core. Only 28 percent of suburban dwellers can say the same while 24 percent of urban core residents know their neighbors. This is a surprising finding, considering the sparse population of most rural communities.

Want To Learn More? Search for:. I want to You may also be interested in The cure for wet basements. The holidays are upon us here in the Rocket City! Best time to call. What is the cost to hire a taxi? Is public transportation an option?

The sign of a good neighborhood is a well-kept school. And if you have children, this is probably the first consideration when looking for a good neighborhood. You can also learn about the schools online, which is well worth your while if you have school-aged children.

How large are the classes? How well do students perform on standardized tests? Another factor to consider is how your child will get to school.

Is there public transportation? Can they walk? Is it safe? How far is it to drive? Find out what houses in the neighborhood are currently valued at, then ask a real estate agent how that compares with the average value five and 10 years earlier. How much has the property increased? Has the neighborhood changed? Is the real estate agent aware of any future developments? Do be aware, though, that realtors are not allowed to express an opinion such as "this neighborhood is wealthy and safe," or "that neighborhood is dangerous and poor," so you might also want to knock on a few doors and ask questions of potential neighbors.

Information can be found at city hall or through the local Chamber of Commerce. Future developments change a neighborhood, increase taxes, and increase traffic. It's a good idea to investigate the future potential of the neighborhood then decide if that outlook will be suitable for you and your family. Find out from the real estate agent or the city what the current tax rate is and how much it has increased in the last five years. Is there another expected increase? Do you have a car or would you be willing to get one?

Do you want to be in a historic neighborhood or a new development? Historic neighborhoods have tons of character, but often require lots of repair work and are governed by community associations with strict standards.

Newer developments have more modern features, but are typically far from the city center. Read more about the different types of architecture styles. What is your current community lacking? Do you want to be able to go places on foot? Would you like to be within walking distance of shops, restaurants and bars?

Or would you be willing to drive to nearby businesses? Step 3: Get the Suspects With your area of the city in mind, start digging up information. Find interesting neighborhoods online, ask local real estate agents for recommendations and compile all the background information you can, including: School information: Look into the local public and private elementary, junior and high schools, as well as daycare programs. If you want specifics, call the local police station.

Parks and recreation: How far is it to the closest park or recreation center? Is there a yearly fee? Sights: Remember your first impression. What do you notice first about the neighborhood? Do the streets have curb appeal? Are the houses well-maintained? Do the shops and restaurants look hip and inviting? It's quiet, close to the interstates and I can walk to restaurants, the grocery store and most everything I need.

That's where I am. South St. Louis, Tower Grove East. Big houses rooms re-gentrified in last 20 years, with economic diversity close in all directions, plus university medical school, plus first- and second-generation Vietnamese,Thai, Arab, African, and a few Bosnians.

Asians have mostly kept their markets and stores and moved to suburbs. Large, beautiful acre Victorian-era walking park half a block away, with pavilions, statuary, gardens. And internationally ranked botanical garden next to that. SO it's the constant fun of out-of-town yups who think they've made a steal facing up to the trashy whites who've been in place for 40 years and still let their dogs run loose. Recent traffic impediments on the main street has triggered traffic on our formerly quiet street as a bypass, so we more trash and noise.

Gangs of young blacks like to show their toughness the "knock-out" game has been cited and have killed people as they got overly stupid, beating them up. A lot of car thefts and burglaries over time and, recently, metal thefts, but it always turns out to be outsiders working in a team.

Murders otherwise have tended to be either drug-oriented or domestic, although a couple of overtly robbery-involved homicides have been upsetting.

I feel safe walking at night but I almost never do. I feel safe not because I think no one is going to bother me but because I fight dirty and have no limits. I live in a place that is so safe people can leave their doors unlocked. It's small city within a city, pop. Only one way in and out of the neighborhood. What you describe is not urban safe, r Urban safe means you don't normally have to deal with crime or violence but you have to keep in mind that you are in a big city and something might happen.

So you pay attention to who's around you. It doesn't mean stepping over dead bodies and avoiding stray bullets. My town has barely 5, people and 4 full time cops and a couple of part timers.

It is a rural area. The police force stops patrolling at 11pm weeknights and 1am Fri and Sat. During the overnights, we rely on state police or neighboring towns for coverage. R, I'm not actually sure what he did.

He did it in another state in California and it involved a minor. He was a school teacher so I wonder if it was something like banging a student. I'm not gonna ask him, that's for sure. Before I knew this about him we we had him over for dinner and he seemed odd but fairly nice. Love that whole region. Still go back often. Are you near there? Right now I live in the new epicenter of "hot" gentrification Greenpoint, Brooklyn.

It's still very Polish, but new restaurants are popping up everywhere. This fall, there were at least 4 different TV shows shooting within a 3-block radius of my apartment.

And the Sunday morning vomit quotient, the metric by which I chart a changing neighborhood, is through the roof now. Tons of people partying here, especially on the weekends. I live in a rural area; my county has one stoplight. The nearest house is is a log cabin with a freezer on the front porch. The local sheriff's office stops by there fairly frequently at least monthly.

My neighbors are often in court charges of domestic violence, drug possession, DUI, non-payment of alimony, etc. R20, Sea Cliff is really nice. My Mom was raised and got married there. Bay Ridge is Saturday Night Fever and crime family territory. The mob keeps it safe. You never know if that little old lady you're about to rob has a killer son who already knows your address.

I go to Greenpoint to visit friends and I like it.