MOVING LINKS 4 YOU

FINDING A NEIGHBORHOOD THAT SUITS YOU
by PicketReport.com for MovingLinks4You.com

If you’ve ever moved to a new area you were unfamiliar with or relocated far away from your hometown, then you know just how difficult and time-consuming it can be to learn about the neighborhood. And not just any information about a neighborhood, but the stuff that matters most.

Besides driving around – which you may not be able to do until you’re situated – how are you supposed to find out where the nearest grocery store is? Or how well kids thrive in the local school system? Or if there are other 20-somethings (or 30-, 40-, 50-, 60- somethings or retired folks) in your area to socialize with? Or if the neighborhood is even safe for you and your family?

Finding a home or apartment that you love is difficult enough; why struggle to learn about the neighborhood? PicketReport.com is a website where you can find out everything about an area without ever having to get into your car. It’s a time-saver and stress-buster for those who are relocating to an unfamiliar place – whether it be a few towns over or across the country.

Picket Report focuses on four points of information that matter most: lifestyle, schools, crime and what’s in and around the neighborhood.

In the lifestyle section, we break down an area’s population into 71 different segments that help you better understand who your new neighbors are. For instance, you can find out if there is a “striving single scene” or well-to-do empty nesters or edgy urban types down the street. You can also find out anything from age and household size to whether your new neighbors read newspapers or drive hybrid cars.

The schools section shows you key information about the schools in your area, including a performance rating from 1 to 10, school size, what grades are taught there, school type and test scores.

In the crime section, you can check out your new neighborhood’s crime report card, which gives letter grades to crimes such as theft, burglary and arson, so you know what may be going on around you. If, for instance, your area gets an “A” grade in arson, then its arson rate is low and generally not something to worry about.

Next is the neighborhood section, a practical guide to what’s in and around your neighborhood. Find out where the nearest grocery store and coffee shop are, as well as nearby daycare centers, parks and more. You can also zoom in and get a bird’s eye view of the area!

You can learn these and other important details about your new neighborhood simply by typing in an address, zip code or city. Just go to PicketReport.com to start your neighborhood search.

Coming soon is a Picket Report widget for Realtors, brokers or anyone who would like to have helpful, map-based lifestyle information available on their website.