Mid-Term Rental near a Level1 Hospital in "High Crime" area

[Aline Elad]

Hello all,

My husband and I are new investors. We are looking into purchasing our first mid-term rental about 5mins from a hospital but the crime rate according to neighborhoodscout.com is 32 per 1000 residents which is relatively high in Massachusetts. Has anyone had a difficult time with properties in high-crime areas? Is this a bad idea?

[Colleen F.]

@Aline Elad  If eastern MA look at the boston travel nurse FB group to see if your area is in demand or people are being warned away from it. In general high crime areas are not where travelers want to be.   You will get an idea reading what is available and what is in demand in the area you choose also look on FF. What is the character of the area. Are you on the edge of a crime zone or are you smack in the middle.  Are people driving or walking, if they have to street park high crime is a bigger issue. Crime rate in denser areas is ranked higher then the suburbs so you don't look at statewide rankings.  Are you looking in Worcester, Springfield, Boston, or Lowell?  It will matter.  Are you in the most crime ridden part of worcester? probably find another neighborhood.  Next to MGH, longwood, or Boston childrens in Boston, look where your competition is.  I know that is not a straight answer to your question but that number by itself might not be as useful. The whole city of Springfield has a high rate, that doesn't mean you shouldn't buy in Springfield.  How small of area are you looking at?