Your safety, and that of your loved ones, is paramount. Whether you always believe in the best of humankind or are overly suspicious of absolutely everyone you meet, the fact of the matter is simple: not everyone will be kind to you as you go through life. Some people may want to hurt you, take your things, and generally turn your life into hell, whether for financial gain or for pleasure.
Naturally, when you’re looking to buy a house or you’re visiting a new location, one of your priorities is staying safe. If you’re planning to take out a huge loan and finally buy a family home, odds are that you want friendly and polite neighbors who respect your boundaries. What you don’t want is fretting that your spouse or kids might get attacked every time they head out to school or work.
Internet users shared their life experiences in an informative r/AskReddit thread, revealing the red flags that indicate that you’ve just found yourself in a bad neighborhood. From bars on windows everywhere to a suspicious lack of joggers, they pointed out the signs—both overt and subtle—that you might not be all that safe in a particular area. Scroll down, upvote the red flags that you found useful, and share your own insights in the comments, Dear Pandas.
Bored Panda got in touch with personal finance expert, investor, traveler, and best-selling author Rick Orford to get his opinion about how to tell if a property is situated in a good or bad neighborhood, as well as how to pick out a great area for real estate. Read on for our full interview with him!
#1
Dogs left out all day and night in fenced yards barking their heads off.
Image credits: nakedpanthersfan
#2
I found out I lived in a “bad” neighborhood once when I was told pizza places didn’t deliver to our house.
Image credits: supahfligh
#3
Bars on the windows everywhere. Even the church.
Image credits: cat_daddylambo
#4
Needles on the sidewalk, as well as a bunch of litter in general. It’s a sign that people are so exhausted by living and trying to survive in an oppressive environment that caring about their surroundings mostly falls by wayside.
Image credits: Ermaquillz
#5
The counter at every business has bullet proof glass
Image credits: lookinforbobo
#6
I live in a bad neighborhood in Baltimore, so I’m used to a lot of the things people have already put in the comments.
I live directly next to an abandoned housing project called The Perkins Homes. Many of the old convenience stores that were once open to serve the project residents shuttered when all of the people were moved out of their homes. Though the stores and many of the people are gone, a lot of the graffiti remains. The most striking are the children’s paintings of guns with big Xs through them to signify that the store was a neutral zone. There are two such paintings on the sidewalks on my block.
Also, finding shell casings when you’re taking the dogs on a walk is a good indicator. Or the bullet you find on your back doorstep the day you move in. Ahhh Baltimore – truly America’s charm city.
Image credits: Herodotus_is_History
#7
You never see someone jogging.
Image credits: ludicrusmacaroni
#8
An adult man riding a child’s BMX bike down the center of the road.
Image credits: uninc4life2010
#9
The “bail bonds’ billboard next to the “having a problem with your heroin addiction ” billboard.
Image credits: Public-Dig-6690
#10
Random grocery cart just chillin on the sidewalk. Bonus for missing wheels.
Image credits: povertymayne
#11
When you mention to locals where you live and they just have a brief look of pity.
Image credits: Arcinbiblo12
#12
Really worn old beat-up cars right next to brand new extremely expensive cars.
Image credits: WhatIsLoveMeDo
#13
Hearing gunshots
Image credits: camster29
#14
depends where u are because i think it might be a regional thing, but shoes hung up on power lines
Image credits: _zenora_
#15
Your neighbors get raided by the police.
A couple months ago, I was just chilling with my kids, waiting for my husband to be off work. Around 7 or 8pm, I hear what sounds like a semi truck pulling into the neighborhood. We live near a fire station, so I don’t think much about it at first. Within seconds, I see a BUNCH of lights flashing through my curtains, my kids are at the OPEN windows, my camera notifications are going off like crazy, and I hear a policeman over a bullhorn saying “this is the police, come out with your hands up.” Repeatedly. I look out and police cars are parked all over the street and a huge armored swat truck is parked across my driveway. I gathered my kids and took them to the back of the house for fear there would be shooting and stray bullets. Luckily, we think it was a drug bust (there has been LOTS of suspicious activity there) and the people surrendered somewhat peacefully it seemed, but it was still the scariest night of my life.
They were all back like a week later and seem to still be selling drugs.
Image credits: TexasBeeb
#16
Cash Advance Business close by
Image credits: Myke190
#17
Armed security guard at the strip mall Foot Locker.
Image credits: lookinforbobo
#18
I was doing geotech work on site for a potential cell tower years ago & had to give directions to a coworker (years before google maps were a thing).
I told him it was across the street from the burglar bar manufacturer and the attack dog training school. -pause- “really???” “Yep.”
Image credits: Constant-Bet-6600
#19
Dead gardens and giant weeds everywhere
Image credits: macaronsforeveryone
#20
Kids sitting on steps who bolt inside when a cop car rolls by.
Image credits: JustinChristoph
#21
Empty Swisher Sweets packages strewn around the neighborhood.
Image credits: mccandish
#22
Certain fast food restaurants always seem to be an indicator. White Castles and Checkers are two I’ve seen often.
Image credits: jerseyjokes
#23
Church’s chicken
Image credits: bballin1204
#24
The street you’re on is called “Martin Luther King Blvd”.
You might also like: 50 ‘Weird Facts’ About The World That Might Give You A Fresh Perspective
Image credits: reverendblinddog