How to determine which areas are good vs bad

[Andrew Hypnarowski]

Hello everybody!

 I'm trying to learn and gather all the information I need to start analyzing some properties in my area. The biggest problem I have now is how to determine which areas are good versus bad to invest in. 

I have a handful of ideas to find out this information such as:

 -drive through different neighborhoods to see the kind of activity that is going on

-ask local investors in my area

-possibly call an agent and/or property manager to help me

Are these the right kind of ways to determine how good each neighborhood is?

I'm from Buffalo NY and looking to invest locally.