What's a good way for a remote investor to research a US area?

[Cole Evans]

I live in the UK, but am trying to invest in the US. Once I've found some properties, what's a good way to research the area the properties are situated in?

One useful resource I have found is http://www.bestplaces.net/ which gives plenty of information about every aspect of an area. However, the info is at a general level. 

For example, a US city might be listed as having high violent crime. But that will be for the whole city. There will be pockets that are perfectly safe, which the site doesn't do a good job of reflecting.

Are there any other ways of researching an area?

Thanks!