How do you research zip codes?

[Jacob Forbis]

So after doing a lot of reading on the forums and listening to a lot of the podcasts, I am beginning to appreciate the importance of researching an area before purchasing. Not only is it important to research areas from a price to rent ratio standpoint, but also from an appreciation and safety standpoint.

So my question is this: How do you research an area ? Specifically. I am having a really hard time with this.

I am wanting to invest in san antonio and it is a big city. There are a lot of people here, and I don't know where I should start.

I have looked at places like city-data and a lot of browsing around on zillow and redfin, but am having a hard time coming up with things like price to rent, appreciation rates, job growth etc.

So where do you look for this information?

[Steve Babiak]

Maybe an example for you:

http://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/12/topics/114426-please-provide-feedback-on-my-demographic-study

Some housing data links:

http://www.city-data.com/

http://www.bestplaces.net/

http://www.neighborhoodscout.com/

https://www.census.gov/hhes/www/housing/census/historic/grossrents.html

https://www.census.gov/housing/census/

http://www.peakbagger.com/pbgeog/histmetropop.aspx

http://www.trulia.com/ - for Trulia, enter the zip code and you can pick from the "Local Info" tab

http://www.clrsearch.com/ - pick a tab from the CLR site

http://www.homefair.com/

http://www.zip-codes.com/

http://www.statisticbrain.com/

http://www.diedinhouse.com/

http://www.localmarketmonitor.com/

http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2013/09/20/best-worst-real-estate-markets-847/