When buying a home, would you factor in crime statistics
in your decision? The right answer should be: absolutely! With the median crimerate in U.S. cities at about 4.2%, you should at the very least be aware of
what this means to you and your search for a home. If you think this problem is
being exaggerated, consider this. Living in a town with a 4.2% crime
rate, means that your likelihood of encountering a criminal act in five years is 21%!
Double that for a period of ten years and you will understand my point.
The types of crimes being committed in the
area you've targeted, should also factor in to your decision. If violent crime
is relatively high in a neighborhood, then that will affect you, your family
and the lifestyle you choose to follow. Letting the kids play out in the front
yard or going out for a walk becomes an issue and staying indoors behind
reinforced doors and windows can quickly become a reality. Property crime,
while not as threatening as violent crime, can also influence your lifestyle.
You still have to reinforce the entry points to your home, pay the higher
insurance premiums and lock everything up, all the time. I don't know about
you, but for me, I would much prefer to live with peace of mind than to have to
look behind me every time I walk out of the house.
Here are some interesting crime statistics
to look at. Based on the latest FBI published records, the highest crime rates
in the top five U.S. cities are:
1. St. Louis, MO - 9.9%
2. Birmingham, AL – 9.8%
3. Springfield, MO – 9.8%
4. Little Rock, AR – 9.4%
5. Flint, MI – 8.8%
On the other hand, the following cities boast of the lowest crime rates:
1. Tucson, AZ - 0.07%
2. Toledo, OH - 1.0%
3. Simi Valley, CA - 1.4%
4. Centennial, CO - 1.5%
5. Sunnyvale, CA - 1.5%
Based on these statistics, it is evident
that crime rates can vary significantly from city to city. It is only prudent
to seriously consider area crime rates, just as you would account for area
schools, home prices, real estate taxes, etc. Don’t decide that a neighborhood
is safe based on appearances, which can be deceiving. During the day when you
are visiting homes in an area, things may look calm and quiet. At night though,
the story may be different. Your best bet is to talk to people living in the
area and to pay a visit to the local police department. Be a well-informed
homebuyer before you take the plunge.
Get a complete breakdown of crime statistics on over 9,300 cities and towns throughout the U.S. at Bocazo.com - Crime Statistics.
