What's the Buzz? Checking Out Neighborhoods From Your Chair

Use the tips below to help you either find the right neighborhood for you, confirm your feelings about one you've already chosen, or open your mind to new possibilities. We'll start with the tasks you can accomplish online or by phone, then discuss visiting in person in a later section.

Where Do You Begin?

Most people have a good idea of where they want to live, sometimes right down to the street. But if you're moving from far away, you may not know your new town's uptown from its downtown, much less the names of the neighborhoods. And even if you're already a local, there are probably places on your map you haven't explored.

Starting with a blank slate lets you play tourist in your new hometown- (or neighborhood)-to-be and begin making friends and contacts. Here are some effective strategies: * Talk to friends, colleagues, and relatives about where they live. Talk to friends, colleagues, and relatives about where they live. Ask what they like best and least about the area-you're sure to uncover some surprises. Ask what they like best and least about the area-you're sure to uncover some surprises.* Out-of-towners: Start with whatever or whoever drew you to that town. Out-of-towners: Start with whatever or whoever drew you to that town. If it's a new job, ask your employer for staff contacts who'd be willing to share their experiences. The best people to talk to are those who've moved from far away themselves. If it's a new job, ask your employer for staff contacts who'd be willing to share their experiences. The best people to talk to are those who've moved from far away themselves.* Call a real estate agent. Call a real estate agent. Even if you haven't hired an agent yet, you can call one and ask for information-the agent will probably jump at the chance to display knowledge to a potential client. Most agents know a lot about different neighborhoods, or at least about one neighborhood, since many of them specialize. Even if you haven't hired an agent yet, you can call one and ask for information-the agent will probably jump at the chance to display knowledge to a potential client. Most agents know a lot about different neighborhoods, or at least about one neighborhood, since many of them specialize.

What's the Neighborhood Like?

One of your biggest questions will be the character of your prospective neighborhood. Is it a place where you walk to get tapas or drive to pick up cheeseburgers? Will the local hotspot be a sports bar or a blues bar?

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What about your neighbor's beliefs? Adviser Bert Sperling notes, "Perhaps the two biggest definers of local feel are things we've been told to avoid in polite conversation-religion and politics. Variety may be the spice of life, but you're going to find it very difficult to feel comfortable in your new town or neighborhood if you're the only person with a particular point of view. Do some research to find out which way a place is leaning." Adviser Bert Sperling notes, "Perhaps the two biggest definers of local feel are things we've been told to avoid in polite conversation-religion and politics. Variety may be the spice of life, but you're going to find it very difficult to feel comfortable in your new town or neighborhood if you're the only person with a particular point of view. Do some research to find out which way a place is leaning."Community character is one of the hardest issues to research (especially if you're completely new to the area), but these resources will get you started:* www.streetadvisor.com. Enter a street address and see how the locals describe their area, whether it's seeing racoons at night or getting heckled by crackheads. Enter a street address and see how the locals describe their area, whether it's seeing racoons at night or getting heckled by crackheads.* www.neighborhoodscout.com. All you need is a zip code, and this gives you demographic data plus descriptions of neighborhood character and residents' age, ethnicity, and lifestyle. All you need is a zip code, and this gives you demographic data plus descriptions of neighborhood character and residents' age, ethnicity, and lifestyle.* Sperling's Best Places. Sperling's Best Places. This website, at This website, at www.bestplaces.net, is known for its "best of " lists. Its studies will tell you the best and worst towns for everything from affordable housing to getting a good night's sleep. The site also gives statistical information, searchable by zip code. You can find out the percentage of your neighbors who vote Democrat or Republican or are affiliated with a particular religion, the cost of living, climate, local home characteristics, and more.* www.epodunk.com. For smaller towns and communities-ones that could be described as "podunk"-try this site, which will link you to everthing from population demographics to where you'll find local businesses, museums, and cemeteries. For smaller towns and communities-ones that could be described as "podunk"-try this site, which will link you to everthing from population demographics to where you'll find local businesses, museums, and cemeteries.* www.rottenneighbor.com. A zip code search brings up an aerial view of everyone listed as a rotten neighbor or a sex offender. It's subjective and no doubt prone to inaccuracy, but you'll at least find out which streets have a lot of neighbor disputes. A zip code search brings up an aerial view of everyone listed as a rotten neighbor or a sex offender. It's subjective and no doubt prone to inaccuracy, but you'll at least find out which streets have a lot of neighbor disputes.* your own, custom search. your own, custom search. www.google.com. Try plugging the name of your prospective neighborhood (if it has a name) into Google or your favorite search engine. Sites may come up for community associations, parents' associations, and more. Try plugging the name of your prospective neighborhood (if it has a name) into Google or your favorite search engine. Sites may come up for community associations, parents' associations, and more.

How Safe Is It?

If you're planning to live in your new home for a long time, make sure you feel secure there. Bert Sperling notes, "Smaller cities tend to have lower crime rates than large ones; that's part of the tradeoff you make for being part of a vibrant urban scene. Still, crime in large cities is often centered in certain areas, which you can avoid." Crime statistics for cities (but unfortunately not for neighborhoods) are available at www.homefair.com. Under "Reports," click "Relocation Crime Lab."

The most accurate place to get neighborhood crime stats is from the local police department. Often you'll have to visit in person, though some larger cities put the information online. For examples, you can check out these cities by going to the website and searching for "crime statistics": San Francisco (www.sfgov.org), New York (www.nyc.gov), and Atlanta (www.atlantapd.org).

Safest Cities in the U.S.

These cities had the fewest violent crimes per capita, according to recent FBI statistics:1. Irvine, California2. Amherst, New York3. Cary, North Carolina4. Gilbert, Arizona5. Sunnyvale, California6. Thousand Oaks, California7. Glendale, California8. Provo, Utah9. Bellevue, Washington10. Simi Valley, California

Not assume an okay-looking neighborhood had low crime. Before buying her first house, Talia says, "I came close to buying a place in another neighborhood. It had looked fine when I was driving around. But my agent suggested I contact the local police station. I did and discovered that because this neighborhood was surrounded by areas where crime was much higher, it actually got its own share of break-ins and assaults. The crime rate was too high for me to feel comfortable living alone. I shifted focus to another area, where I now live and feel safe." Before buying her first house, Talia says, "I came close to buying a place in another neighborhood. It had looked fine when I was driving around. But my agent suggested I contact the local police station. I did and discovered that because this neighborhood was surrounded by areas where crime was much higher, it actually got its own share of break-ins and assaults. The crime rate was too high for me to feel comfortable living alone. I shifted focus to another area, where I now live and feel safe."

One crime issue that's easier to research online concerns registered sex offenders. Nearly every state has passed a law, usually called "Megan's Law" (after a young victim of abduction and sexual assault), requiring state governments to distribute information about sex offenders living in different communities. Many states have websites giving offenders' addresses. Search for "Megan's Law" and the name of your state. But take the information you find with a grain of salt-not all of these websites are regularly updated, and some contain inaccuracies or misleading information.

Will the Services You Need Be Nearby?

The existence or proximity of schools, parks, shopping, and more could make or break your neighborhood decision. Fortunately, finding these is a relatively straightforward research task, with such websites as: * www.moving.com. Provides free school reports and other demographic data, under the "Real Estate" tab. Provides free school reports and other demographic data, under the "Real Estate" tab.* www.usnews.com/usnews/health. This is an annual report called "America's Best Hospitals," supported by This is an annual report called "America's Best Hospitals," supported by U.S. News & World Report U.S. News & World Report. Also see www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov, by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.* www.mapquest.com. To estimate your commute time, go to the "Directions" section of MapQuest, enter your work address and an address from the neighborhood where you might live, and receive a time and distance estimate. To estimate your commute time, go to the "Directions" section of MapQuest, enter your work address and an address from the neighborhood where you might live, and receive a time and distance estimate.

Is It Zoned for How You Want to Use It?

After liberating yourself from your landlord's rules, you might be less than excited to discover that the home business you'd always dreamed of starting is prohibited, or that you can't turn the garage into an in-law cottage. Local zoning rules or other city regulations (even criminal laws) are usually to blame. It's also worth knowing what general uses the neighbors are allowed.

First, find out from the municipal planning and building department what zoning category each neighborhood you're interested in falls into. A classification called single-family residential is the norm. But some neighborhoods with ordinary houses might actually be zoned for multifamily residential, transitional, or a mixed use such as residential plus commercial. One of these other classifications might be good for you. For example if a home business is in your plans, mixed commercial and residential might be perfect. But these alternate classifications can also be a problem, particularly when it comes to your neighbors' future plans. Multifamily zoning, for example, might mean the house next door could be replaced with an apartment building.

Also realize that zoning ordinances usually deal with more than how the property can be used. They typically dictate the minimum square footage of a home and sometimes its maximum size, how tall it can be, and where it can be placed on the property. A home may have to be set back a certain distance from the street and be a certain distance away from neighboring homes. This can affect your plans to add an extra room or deck.

It's the Law!?

There's probably a story behind these:* University City, Missouri: You're not allowed to have a garage sale in your front yard.* Texas: A hitching post must be placed in front of all houses on third-class roads.* Boulder, Colorado: You can't put indoor furniture outdoors in your yard.

Research the zoning and other municipal rules further-ideally with the help of your real estate agent or attorney-if any of the following are true: * You intend to operate a home business. You intend to operate a home business. In an area zoned residential, take a careful look at the local rules-they don't always give a clear thumbs up or down. Some, for example, prohibit home businesses in general but allow exceptions. Also talk to other local home-business owners about the restrictions, and whether their neighbors have raised any fuss. In an area zoned residential, take a careful look at the local rules-they don't always give a clear thumbs up or down. Some, for example, prohibit home businesses in general but allow exceptions. Also talk to other local home-business owners about the restrictions, and whether their neighbors have raised any fuss.RESOURCE.

Planning on starting a home business? Find all the information you need, including more tips on zoning, in Find all the information you need, including more tips on zoning, in Legal Guide for Starting & Running a Small Business Legal Guide for Starting & Running a Small Business, by Fred Steingold (Nolo). Also check out Home Business Tax Deductions: Keep What You Earn Home Business Tax Deductions: Keep What You Earn, by Stephen Fishman (Nolo), which discusses issues like when you can deduct general home maintenance.

* You plan to remodel the house or garage or add other structures (even a fence, pool, or child's tree house). You plan to remodel the house or garage or add other structures (even a fence, pool, or child's tree house). Rules for changing an existing house can be notoriously sticky and require permits. Local view ordinances may restrict your ability to add a second story. You might talk to a local architect in advance-they're used to dealing with, or getting around, the rules. Rules for changing an existing house can be notoriously sticky and require permits. Local view ordinances may restrict your ability to add a second story. You might talk to a local architect in advance-they're used to dealing with, or getting around, the rules.* You plan to park a boat, RV, or large vehicle in your driveway. You plan to park a boat, RV, or large vehicle in your driveway. Some city planners may have decided this doesn't look so good. Some city planners may have decided this doesn't look so good.* The house has historic landmark status, or looks like it should. The house has historic landmark status, or looks like it should. Once a house is designated a historic landmark, any remodeling-even basic things like a new paint job-may be subject to rules on style and color. Still, owning a historic home can be personally satisfying and offer high resale value if you restore it. Once a house is designated a historic landmark, any remodeling-even basic things like a new paint job-may be subject to rules on style and color. Still, owning a historic home can be personally satisfying and offer high resale value if you restore it.* You plan to cut down a large tree. You plan to cut down a large tree. Yes, your landscaping may be a topic of separate regulation, excluding shrubs and flowers. Yes, your landscaping may be a topic of separate regulation, excluding shrubs and flowers.* You have any other special plans for the property. You have any other special plans for the property. Local rules are limited only by the imagination of the local government, and bizarre ones sometimes pop up in response to one homeowner's inappropriate actions, like putting up too many holiday lights. Local rules are limited only by the imagination of the local government, and bizarre ones sometimes pop up in response to one homeowner's inappropriate actions, like putting up too many holiday lights.* Vacant lots are widespread in the neighborhood, or you see a lot of new construction. Vacant lots are widespread in the neighborhood, or you see a lot of new construction. You'll want to know what might legally be built there. You'll want to know what might legally be built there.* You plan on keeping any farm animals such as roosters or a goat. You plan on keeping any farm animals such as roosters or a goat. They may well be prohibited. They may well be prohibited.

Is It a Planned Community, With Restrictions on Homeowners?

If you move into a community interest development (CID), you may find your choice of house paint colors limited to white, white, or white-and that's just for starters. Such communities often regulate how individual homeowners are expected to treat and use their property (such as fence style in a detached house or curtain color in a condo or co-op). A home located in a traditional subdivision consisting of lots may also be controlled by subdivision restrictions.

For now, just realize that these sort of restrictions exist, and plan to research them further if you look at a CID.

How Good Are the Local Schools?

If you have children, or plan to, then the quality of the local school district is probably high on your list. But even if you don't plan on children, you should be concerned with school quality, because the next next family who buys your home might want children. And they'll pay more if the local schools are great. family who buys your home might want children. And they'll pay more if the local schools are great.

To get statistical information about how schools perform in your state, check your department of education website, usually accessible from your state's main Web page. Other good online resources include: * www.greatschools.net. A national, independent nonprofit organization that helps parents choose schools, support their children's education, and more. Use the "Research & Compare" tab to access not only basic stats on class size and teacher experience, but also reviews written by parents. A national, independent nonprofit organization that helps parents choose schools, support their children's education, and more. Use the "Research & Compare" tab to access not only basic stats on class size and teacher experience, but also reviews written by parents.* www.schoolmatters.com. This site, run by Standard & Poor's, is mostly for people interested in public policy, but it offers information about student performance, school finance, and community and school demographics. This site, run by Standard & Poor's, is mostly for people interested in public policy, but it offers information about student performance, school finance, and community and school demographics.* www.homefair.com. (Under "Moving Tools," click "The School Report.") This site lets you access information about "educational climate" and student/teacher ratios. If you provide your personal information, they'll tell you SAT scores, percentage of students going to college, and more. (Under "Moving Tools," click "The School Report.") This site lets you access information about "educational climate" and student/teacher ratios. If you provide your personal information, they'll tell you SAT scores, percentage of students going to college, and more.

Visit local public schools. Violet says of her family's move from Connecticut to Pennsylvania, "Our criteria for choosing a neighborhood were: school district, school district, and school district. We'd heard there were two excellent districts close to my husband's new job. So I took my son and daughter to visit the principals and teachers and watch classrooms in action. The school in one of the neighborhoods had great classroom morale, lots of activities, and ethnic diversity. Wouldn't you know it, the houses in that neighborhood were mostly million-dollar plus McMansions. But we found a fixer-upper we could afford. It was worth the hard work to make it livable-the kids love their school." Violet says of her family's move from Connecticut to Pennsylvania, "Our criteria for choosing a neighborhood were: school district, school district, and school district. We'd heard there were two excellent districts close to my husband's new job. So I took my son and daughter to visit the principals and teachers and watch classrooms in action. The school in one of the neighborhoods had great classroom morale, lots of activities, and ethnic diversity. Wouldn't you know it, the houses in that neighborhood were mostly million-dollar plus McMansions. But we found a fixer-upper we could afford. It was worth the hard work to make it livable-the kids love their school."

See for Yourself: Driving Through Neighborhoods

You can tell a lot about an area by cruising through it, most likely by car. When you get a real estate agent, he or she will also drive you around, but it's good to go on your own first, free to explore the seedier spots. You may find yourself thinking, "I could live here," or "Get me out, fast."

First, pull out your map, locate the areas where you might like to live, and circle them with a highlighter. Pay special attention to places on the map you've never been that are close to or within your highlighted area. Then systematically drive up and down the streets, imagining yourself living there. (The character of a neighborhood can change in the space of a city block, or right after a natural divider such as a freeway, park, or large housing complex.) Look beyond the houses and think about whether the local features fit your lifestyle-would you, in fact, walk to the bus stop, garden in the front yard, or jog at the local track? Focus on questions like: * How well are the homes maintained? How well are the homes maintained? Neat homes and yards are signs that homeowners feel invested in their properties. Neat homes and yards are signs that homeowners feel invested in their properties.* Who's around? Who's around? You can tell a lot about a neighborhood by who's out and about, whether it's children on bicycles or post partiers walking to breakfast joints on Saturday morning. You can tell a lot about a neighborhood by who's out and about, whether it's children on bicycles or post partiers walking to breakfast joints on Saturday morning.* How's the traffic? How's the traffic? Are people driving sanely or zooming around with music blasting? Does the major street leading to the neighborhood become a noisy parking lot during rush hour? Are people driving sanely or zooming around with music blasting? Does the major street leading to the neighborhood become a noisy parking lot during rush hour?* What types of local businesses are there? What types of local businesses are there? Franchise chains, funky coffee shops, and upscale restaurants could become your favorite hangouts-or you could be in for frustration if your favorite cuisine is nowhere to be found or there's no dry cleaner nearby. Franchise chains, funky coffee shops, and upscale restaurants could become your favorite hangouts-or you could be in for frustration if your favorite cuisine is nowhere to be found or there's no dry cleaner nearby.* Check the signs. Check the signs. Literally. If you see lots of "For Sale" signs, it Literally. If you see lots of "For Sale" signs, it could could mean people are moving out, and you'd want to know why-a new factory or mini-mall being built nearby? A surge in crime? You'll either have a greater chance of snagging a bargain, or you may decide to look elsewhere. On the other hand, a lot of homes for sale could also mean the neighborhood is hot, hot, hot! mean people are moving out, and you'd want to know why-a new factory or mini-mall being built nearby? A surge in crime? You'll either have a greater chance of snagging a bargain, or you may decide to look elsewhere. On the other hand, a lot of homes for sale could also mean the neighborhood is hot, hot, hot!

If you like what you see, you might even add another color highlighter to the map, showing your favorite streets (useful for cross-referencing with later home sale ads). You're guaranteed to find a surprise or two.

The grill's going every night! Barry is a vegetarian, while his girlfriend Ann is not. After a long search, the couple found an adorable house near a commercial street dominated by Korean restaurants. Barry says, "We carefully had the house inspected and talked to the neighbors about safety. But we'd visited the house only in daylight. Our first evening after we moved in, we noticed a cloud of aromatic smoke coming from a nearby Korean barbecue. I was horrified, and Ann started mischievously suggesting sneaking out for a bite. We love the house, but it took awhile to get used to the permanently barbecue-scented night air." Barry is a vegetarian, while his girlfriend Ann is not. After a long search, the couple found an adorable house near a commercial street dominated by Korean restaurants. Barry says, "We carefully had the house inspected and talked to the neighbors about safety. But we'd visited the house only in daylight. Our first evening after we moved in, we noticed a cloud of aromatic smoke coming from a nearby Korean barbecue. I was horrified, and Ann started mischievously suggesting sneaking out for a bite. We love the house, but it took awhile to get used to the permanently barbecue-scented night air."

On Foot: Talking to the Natives

There's probably no better way to find out what a certain neighborhood is like than talking to people who already live there. Pick a day when you're feeling relaxed (preferably not open-house day). Then walk around, paying attention to smells and sounds. (Cocooned in your car, you might not notice odors coming from a nearby brewery, airplane or freeway noise, the buzzing from a local generator, or rowdiness at a nearby commercial strip.) Talking to people in neighborhoods still under construction is obviously harder-but it may be possible if you're not the first to buy. Or, you can look in surrounding developments to get a general feel.

Look for people out gardening, or walking their dogs. It might feel funny to strike up a conversation with a stranger, but complimenting said garden or dog is a pretty reliable conversation starter. Explain that you're thinking of buying, and ask questions like: * What do you like most and least about this area?* Which streets are considered the best to live on?* Do you feel okay about walking outside at night?* Do you have kids? Do they go to public school here?* Are there any changes planned that will make the neighborhood better or worse (such as a new development, changed policing system, or pending school initiative)?* What kind of person would be happiest living here?

CD-ROM.

Use the "Questions for Talking With Locals" worksheet in the Homebuyer's Toolkit on the CD-ROM, which includes questions and space for your notes.

Coffee shops and local restaurants are also good places to meet people, including the business owners. And even on open-house days, you can meet a lot of locals and talk to real estate agents about community issues (though the agents won't be offering up much negative information).

Sunrise, Sunset: Getting Day and Night Perspectives

There's a reason open houses are usually scheduled on Sunday afternoons: The sun is high in the sky, the neighborhood is quiet, and no one's working. Life couldn't be better! To plug back into reality, though, try visiting a neighborhood at different times of the day or week. In neighborhoods with lots of local schools, it can sound like a parade is passing weekdays around 3:00-and then the insanely bright floodlights at the football field click on after dark. Neighborhoods located in lovely little gulches or valleys may seem dull by early afternoon, when they lose their daily dose of sunshine. And late at night, if you see more tough-looking characters hanging out on street corners than dog walkers, you might want to recheck those crime stats.

Drive through the neighborhood at night. Sam and Kari were looking to buy a place at a time when the market was crazy and their options limited. According to Sam, "When we saw a nice, affordable house right on the border of a good neighborhood, we were so excited! On a whim, we drove back later that night. There was a whole other side to that neighborhood: Cars slowly cruised by blaring music, and loud groups loitered around, drinking and smoking. Seeing our bewildered looks, an elderly neighbor asked whether we were lost, then advised us, 'Don't buy here; it's not safe. I'd get out if I could.' We took her advice and are so glad we took that evening drive." Sam and Kari were looking to buy a place at a time when the market was crazy and their options limited. According to Sam, "When we saw a nice, affordable house right on the border of a good neighborhood, we were so excited! On a whim, we drove back later that night. There was a whole other side to that neighborhood: Cars slowly cruised by blaring music, and loud groups loitered around, drinking and smoking. Seeing our bewildered looks, an elderly neighbor asked whether we were lost, then advised us, 'Don't buy here; it's not safe. I'd get out if I could.' We took her advice and are so glad we took that evening drive."

Got Houses? Finding Out What's Locally Available

By now, you've probably narrowed down your search to specific neighborhoods. But can you afford anything more than a tiny patch of grass there? To find out, look at what's for sale right this minute. It's the easiest research task you'll ever take on, thanks to widely available advertisements, in: * The Multiple Listing Service (MLS). The Multiple Listing Service (MLS). This is the granddaddy: a database of homes for sale kept by Realtors nationwide, and once guarded as closely as the Coca-Cola recipe. Now you can usually access it-or selected portions of it-for free on the websites of local Realtor associations or newspapers. Start with the NAR's website, This is the granddaddy: a database of homes for sale kept by Realtors nationwide, and once guarded as closely as the Coca-Cola recipe. Now you can usually access it-or selected portions of it-for free on the websites of local Realtor associations or newspapers. Start with the NAR's website, www.realtor.com. Or, try searching for "MLS" and the name of your state or city. (The homes won't change much, but the formatting will.).* Real estate sections of city or community newspapers. Real estate sections of city or community newspapers. City papers often have online classifieds, but don't forget tiny community papers-they sometimes have the best classifieds, because they're devoted to a limited geographical area. City papers often have online classifieds, but don't forget tiny community papers-they sometimes have the best classifieds, because they're devoted to a limited geographical area.CD-ROM.

Wondering what FB, HDWD, or S.S. Kit means? You must be reading a paid-by-the-word ad. For some deciphering help, check out the "Common Real Estate Abbreviations" list in the Homebuyer's Toolkit on the CD-ROM. You must be reading a paid-by-the-word ad. For some deciphering help, check out the "Common Real Estate Abbreviations" list in the Homebuyer's Toolkit on the CD-ROM.