How to Tell When You Are in a Bad Neighborhood?

When considering a new home, it’s important to be aware of signs that indicate a bad neighborhood. Here are 26 additional signs to add to the list:

Random Garbage Everywhere: If there is trash scattered everywhere and it’s not cleaned up for a long time, it’s a red flag.
Thick Graffiti: Excessive graffiti on public and private property is another sign of a bad neighborhood.
Many Dilapidated or Abandoned Houses: Too many dilapidated or abandoned houses are red flags of a bad neighborhood.
Bars on Doors and Windows: If 50% or more house owners install bars on doors and windows to stop break-ins, it’s a clear sign of a bad neighborhood.
Fences Around Houses: People living in bad neighborhoods put up fences around their houses to keep strangers out.
Locks Everywhere: People lock things that we usually don’t put locks on, such as mailboxes and air conditioning units.
Broken Car Window Glass in Parking Lots: Broken car window glass is another clear sign of a bad neighborhood.
High Unemployment Rate: In neighborhoods with high unemployment rates, jobless people may do something bad to your property.
Lots of Homeless People: A neighborhood with lots of homeless people is not an ideal place to live in.
Unattended Kids: Kids always playing or walking around your communities on their own is another sign of a bad neighborhood.
Strange Teenagers: Teenagers in poor neighborhoods tend to gather together and behave strangely.
People Talk Loudly in the Street: If you can hear people talking loudly in the street, especially about their daily personal life, it’s a sign of a bad neighborhood.
Noise Late at Night: Loud music or band practices at midnight are signs of a bad neighborhood.
Irregular Police Presence: If the police only patrol your neighborhood during the day but not at night, it could be a red flag.
High Crime Rate: Neighborhoods with a high crime rate are not ideal places to live.
Gangs: The presence of gangs is another clear sign of a bad neighborhood.
Illegal Activity: Drug dealing, drug use, and prostitution are characteristics of a bad neighborhood.
Pairs of Tennis Shoes Thrown Over Electric Wires: Shoes over electric wires can represent gang hangouts or drug dealing spots.
Most Popular Dog: Pit Bull: Neighborhoods with a high number of pit bulls may have loose breed-specific regulations.
Frequent Yard Sales: Frequent yard sales with useless items can indicate a bad neighborhood.
Not Enough Basic Infrastructure: Poor infrastructure, such as sidewalks and overpasses, or infrastructure in disrepair are signs of a bad neighborhood.
Shot Out Street Lights: Poor neighborhoods may not have well-functioning street lights, which can bring concerns to residents.
Check-Cashing Stores, Pawn Shops, and Payday Loans: A high concentration of these businesses indicates a bad neighborhood.
Bulletproof Glass on Local Stores: Stores using bulletproof glass may indicate a dangerous neighborhood.
Pizza Not Delivered to Your House: If pizza places avoid delivering to your neighborhood, it could be a sign of an unsafe area.
Off-Brand Stores: A lack of major brand stores and presence of off-brand stores like Kennedy Fried Chicken may indicate a bad neighborhood.