Crime rates and your reaction

[topretirementseditor]

When we are researching towns to list as best places to retire on this site we are always amazed at some of the places that, statistically at least, have well above or even high crime rates. Some are in small towns in the south, sometimes even college towns.

To some people a high crime rate is a black ball for the community - period. But in our opinion the matter should involve a little more investigation. For example, almost any city will have a high crime rate. Whether it's a city or a small town we suggest you find out if it's violent crime, or petty stuff you might see in a college town. Is there an undesirable neighborhood where the crime is concentrated? Are you going to live in a gated community, where littering is the major offense?

We suggest searching on Google or Bing for "crime and <name of town>", or going to the Forums here or at City-Data.com for specific towns. What people say who live in these towns is a lot more useful than the raw crime statistics.

What do you think?

[CMCBC40]

I agree with you 100%.Thats what I found when reserching 55-plus,and the local areas its in.They rarely ever list the crimes in break downs.I have started to check out there local newpapers and ask questions on local Forums.Which alot of people have help with there answers.,But I think that this site TopRetirement should start something like that.Or maybe they have and I havent found it yet.But a great idea,and post.

[Drumlin]

I apologize, this is a very long link, but cut and past it into your browser. It's US Census figures on the education of those 25 and over for each town in the United States. You can pick and choose by zip code or town or county. I will NEVER again live in a town where the number is less than 40%. Low education of the adults means low standards and low quality of life. That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it!

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