To Trust or Not to Trust Trulia Crime Mapping...

[Ashley Proctor]

BP I just want to know...Do you think that Trulia Crime Mapping gives an accurate feel when it comes to the quality of a neighborhood?! I ask because, looking here in Chicago, of course we have a ton of streets that appear hot but it's so block by block here. I don't profess to know a lot about Chicago neighborhoods since I'm a transplant but am interested in how others feel, esp. my Chi town peeps!

[Crystal Smith]

Originally posted by @Ashley Proctor:

BP I just want to know...Do you think that Trulia Crime Mapping gives an accurate feel when it comes to the quality of a neighborhood?! I ask because, looking here in Chicago, of course we have a ton of streets that appear hot but it's so block by block here. I don't profess to know a lot about Chicago neighborhoods since I'm a transplant but am interested in how others feel, esp. my Chi town peeps!

 I will only speak for Chicago.  Answer to your question depends on how you define a "neighborhood"  If you consider the 77 Chicago communities as neighborhoods then the answer is no, Trulia is not a good representation of the quality/safety of the neighborhoods.  If you consider the neighborhood as the block you intend to invest on & the surrounding blocks, then yes, Trulia is a good representation.  Example-  There are some parts of Humboldt Park that show up as "Red" high crime in Trulia, with other sections that are all moderate or low crime.  

The other caution on Trulia- The crime statistics change over time.  Some locations will show up as low crime in the winter, then spick up to moderate & high in the summer.  This is where some local knowledge is advantageous.  Another caution- There are some areas that show up as low crime & surrounded by low crime but it's because everything around it is abandoned or it may be a park.