How to tell the "dodgyness" of an area

[-df-]

Hi,

The wife and I are looking at buying our first house, and have found one that looks pretty decent.

I'm wanting to check out the "dodgyness" of the area, e.g. crime rates, what the schools are like and all that stuff.

Is there a website that gives this sort of information? I can't seem to find anything online for this.

Cheers.

[CookMySock]

Look for shoes thrown over the powerlines. No shoes means its ok.

steve

[Toot Toot]

Tell us the area (suburb) and there will be people here that can tell you about the area

[firefighter]

Dunno about websites, but what areas are you looking at?

A lot can be said for heading down to the areas in question, more importantly any houses you are looking at, late on a couple of weekend nights, and tuesday afternoons/nights (benefit days) and having a listen. This will point out the HNZC houses, you do NOT want one of them near you. (Some retard decided to put them in nice areas too, so you need to check no matter where you are going, something to do with not wanting to create ghettos....although all it does it ruin nice neighbourhoods)

Check out the demographic........I do'nt need to add much here.

[-df-]

The area is Avondale (Avondale Road, towards the water side).

Half say dodgy, half say all good...I personally see it as an upcoming area, but then I know jack shit about that stuff really.

Trying to find a place that is as close to CBD, but while still in my price range...we could go in closer, but also don't want to have a giant mortgage over our heads at the moment.

EDIT: had a look over the Easter break and drove around a few streets close by and everything looked ok.

[mashman]

Dunno about websites, but what areas are you looking at?

A lot can be said for heading down to the areas in question, more importantly any houses you are looking at, late on a couple of weekend nights, and tuesday afternoons/nights (benefit days) and having a listen. This will point out the HNZC houses, you do NOT want one of them near you. (Some retard decided to put them in nice areas too, so you need to check no matter where you are going, something to do with not wanting to create ghettos....although all it does it ruin nice neighbourhoods)

Check out the demographic........I do'nt need to add much here.

^^^^^^ Wot he said ^^^^^^

also, knock on the neighbours door. Have a chat... you're gonna have to live next to them and who better to answer questions of the area.

[-df-]

Just found this...tells a little story...seems like West is best when it comes to Auckland low crime stats!

http://www.stats.govt.nz/methods_and_services/access-data/TableBuilder/recorded-crime-statistics/offence-calendar-year-statistics.aspx#Auckland

[DMNTD]

Go to the local Cop shop/community constable and simply have a chat. Sorted

[Stirts]

Agree with what Mr Firefighter said.

That is what we did when we purchased our house. We noticed that one end of the street was dodgy as hell and our end seem pretty good, so we did drivebys at various times of the day during the week and on the weekend. All seemed pretty good so we purchased it...... a few weeks later there was a stabbing up the road :gob: :laugh:

Did we make the right decision? Shit happens....even in the poshest of streets! We made the right decision.

[firefighter]

Just found this...tells a little story...seems like West is best when it comes to Auckland low crime stats!

http://www.stats.govt.nz/methods_and_services/access-data/TableBuilder/recorded-crime-statistics/offence-calendar-year-statistics.aspx#Auckland

Bwahahahahaha! Do'nt trust it! lol. It just gets off-centered by the dirty, dirty south........(notice the demographic)

West is ok, if you find the right area. I do'nt know Avondale too well, but it would'nt have struck me as a particularly "safe" area........(coming from the guy living in Massey! lol)

To be clear I have'nt exactly heard terrible things about Avondale, maybe just ignore that bit and hopefully an Avondalian can add something more useful.

[Genestho]

Education Review office, regarding schools - just search your school or early childcare centre, and you should receive some helpful info on the school!! Also each report shows decile ratings!

http://www.ero.govt.nz/ero/publishing.nsf/Content/Home+Page

[DMNTD]

..... a few weeks later there was a stabbing up the road :gob: :laugh:

Yeah but it was Nobrot that did it!

[Big Dave]

I like to pick somewhere nice and lower the tone of the area to suit.

[Fatt Max]

If it's near a bakery then you will be fine.

If it's near my mother in law then you are fucked.

Avondale is a classy part of the world, even the girls tatoo's are spelt right.

Oh, and dont forget the bakery

[Tank]

Look for shoes thrown over the powerlines. No shoes means its ok.

steve

Decent neighborhoods have the power-lines under the ground.

Anyway - to the OP - if you are looking around Auckland - there is the "where to live in Auckland" book which I believe is called "where to live in Auckland". It is updated each year.

Or you could post on here and have locals feedback.

As for West Auckland having the least crime LOL - its only because they 'shop' elsewhere.

[-df-]

Well...now I'm pissed off.

The wife just got off the phone from the bank...we have the deposit all sorted, had checked online and the banks will offer over double what the price of this place is selling for based on all the charts/calculators.

But...seeing as I contract work rather then permanent (and in my field, you earn a lot more by contracting your services out when you look at the yearly total figure) they wont count my wages into the figure...meaning we are stuffed as the misses doesn't earn enough based on her figures alone.

Fcking banks

[Tank]

Well...now I'm pissed off.

The wife just got off the phone from the bank...we have the deposit all sorted, had checked online and the banks will offer over double what the price of this place is selling for based on all the charts/calculators.

But...seeing as I contract work rather then permanent (and in my field, you earn a lot more by contracting your services out when you look at the yearly total figure) they wont count my wages into the figure...meaning we are stuffed as the misses doesn't earn enough based on her figures alone.

Fcking banks

Go talk to the banks - plenty service home loans for contractors and self employed. Should not be an issue. Have done it myself.

[Dave Lobster]

Look at the sort of cars in the street. Any burned out Skylines.. walk away.
Cars with bean tins welded on to the back of the exhaust, or Skalextric car wheels on them.. walk away.
Paki wagons every third drive.. walk away..

If every third property is a church.. walk away.

Avondale isn't Mt Roskill, so it can't be THAT bad.

[Coldrider]

$Price is usually a good indicator.

[aprilia_RS250]

Go to https://www.qv.co.nz/standard.aspx

It has a free report on neighborhood profile etc. Valuation, eco hazards etc.

[nodrog]

Well...now I'm pissed off.

The wife just got off the phone from the bank...we have the deposit all sorted, had checked online and the banks will offer over double what the price of this place is selling for based on all the charts/calculators.

But...seeing as I contract work rather then permanent (and in my field, you earn a lot more by contracting your services out when you look at the yearly total figure) they wont count my wages into the figure...meaning we are stuffed as the misses doesn't earn enough based on her figures alone.

Fcking banks

see a broker

[SMOKEU]

Look for the number of hoodrats and black people. The fewer hoodrats and black people, the better the area. I'm sure many of you will get upset and have a cry over what I just said, so before you dish out the red rep have a think about it. If you live in any reasonably big (by NZ standards) city, go into the worst area. See how many black people and hoodrats there are compared to the richest area?

[-df-]

Go to https://www.qv.co.nz/standard.aspx

It has a free report on neighborhood profile etc. Valuation, eco hazards etc.

Cheers for that, good website!

[Mudfart]

the powerlines comment is fair, i laid the glenn innes ones, so GI is an up and coming rich persons area.
also the comment about dole days is good, when its solo, dole and sickness collection days goto the local pubs, pokies, TAB, bakeries, fish and chip shops and $2 shops and see how busy they are, and what class of people are frequenting them.
The number of pokie joints alone will tell you the socio economic status of an area. And if there are heaps of them in a rich area, that area will soon be going downhill as the pokies will leech the money from the community.
I'd definately go meet the neighbours too before you buy.
Just incase, your moving next door to MY monster in law.

[crazzed]

Well...now I'm pissed off.

The wife just got off the phone from the bank...we have the deposit all sorted, had checked online and the banks will offer over double what the price of this place is selling for based on all the charts/calculators.

But...seeing as I contract work rather then permanent (and in my field, you earn a lot more by contracting your services out when you look at the yearly total figure) they wont count my wages into the figure...meaning we are stuffed as the misses doesn't earn enough based on her figures alone.

Fcking banks

We had similar when we bought our house my hours are 48 per week and got assessed by bank at 40. this made a huge differance in annual income but after six weeks of back a forth got it sorted. my boss was very helpful with projected income etc.
Stick at it you will sort it.
As to a broker we started there but when it got to hard he bailed. So no trust in them.

[The Stranger]

The area is Avondale (Avondale Road, towards the water side).

Half say dodgy, half say all good...I personally see it as an upcoming area, but then I know jack shit about that stuff really.

Trying to find a place that is as close to CBD, but while still in my price range...we could go in closer, but also don't want to have a giant mortgage over our heads at the moment.

EDIT: had a look over the Easter break and drove around a few streets close by and everything looked ok.

Cool, just rock on over when you hear explosions, or see smoke, or smell meat on the spit.

[The Stranger]

Well...now I'm pissed off.

The wife just got off the phone from the bank...we have the deposit all sorted, had checked online and the banks will offer over double what the price of this place is selling for based on all the charts/calculators.

But...seeing as I contract work rather then permanent (and in my field, you earn a lot more by contracting your services out when you look at the yearly total figure) they wont count my wages into the figure...meaning we are stuffed as the misses doesn't earn enough based on her figures alone.

Fcking banks


see a broker

I know a damn good mortgage broker if you're interested. He's a real bloody smart cookie, been doing finance in one form or another all his life, ran banks, finance companies, mortgage brokers. He knows a few tricks.

[Filterer]

Cheers for that, good website!

Highly highly recommended doing a full QV report - it costs $80 but well worth it, feel free to PM me if you want a copy of one I did recently for reference. http://www.qv.co.nz/onlinereports/propertyreports/

As to your contracting, you normally have to show 2 years of tax statements to prove your income to the bank, if you can do that there should be plently of banks that will take your money - if not it is going to have to be a much harder fight

[marty]

Google Maps it - have a look at back lawns/dead cars/how tidy people are keeping their properties - can be a very insightful visit.....

[-df-]

As to your contracting, you normally have to show 2 years of tax statements to prove your income to the bank, if you can do that there should be plently of banks that will take your money - if not it is going to have to be a much harder fight

They said the same thing, unfortunatlely I haven't been doing it for that long...started it up after I was made redundent last year.

Stranger: Cheers for the offer...but we've had a chat when we got home from work and decided to hold off until the end of the year (going to go back to a permanent job) and will have some more $$$ to redo stuff on the house right away...bit of a shame...this house ticked all the boxes except double garage (and it ticked them well :()

[-df-]

double post

[davereid]

Avondale is a classy part of the world, even the girls tatoo's are spelt right.,

Ahh the tattoo.. todays job included a short visit to NZ Post. The young lady in front of me was clean, well dressed, and well spoken. But she had a bar code tattoed on the back of her neck. I couldnt reach the gadget, or I would have scanned her and found the going rate.

[Tink]

Education Review office, regarding schools - just search your school or early childcare centre, and you should receive some helpful info on the school!! Also each report shows decile ratings!

http://www.ero.govt.nz/ero/publishing.nsf/Content/Home+Page

Yup good website... ero


Well...now I'm pissed off.

The wife just got off the phone from the bank...we have the deposit all sorted, had checked online and the banks will offer over double what the price of this place is selling for based on all the charts/calculators.

But...seeing as I contract work rather then permanent (and in my field, you earn a lot more by contracting your services out when you look at the yearly total figure) they wont count my wages into the figure...meaning we are stuffed as the misses doesn't earn enough based on her figures alone.

Fcking banks

Best thing is move somewhere that suits you even if it includes travel.... some agents will sell you into a house and don't care, others care... banks just want your money.. you will know when it feels right.. the shittest neighbourhoods can have the best neighbours, you don't pay an agent to buy the house... but they want the pay check... so make them find you one, don't go to open homes, let the agent get you in privately (if not a private sale)... agents can work for the buyer (for free)... as for Avondale erm... try Pt chev... nice around there if you can afford it... buy the shittest house in the nicest street... this is just me expressing.. .


Go to https://www.qv.co.nz/standard.aspx

It has a free report on neighborhood profile etc. Valuation, eco hazards etc.

A QV is good, but not always what the market is talking... ask a land agent for the property sales in the last 3 months, how much they have sold for... and the current govt valuation (not true either in my eyes)... drive the streets...

Worked as a RE personal assistant, and in rentals for years, seen a lot but not a expert, owned my own home since I was 19, never a bad buy... not bragging just worked out well. :)

[davebullet]

Dave Bullet's bad neighbourhood barometer.

Add 1 point for every "yes":
- Any bodies in the gutter?
- Gunshots on a clear night?
- "doof doof" cars going past?
- Discarded condoms in the middle of the road
- Smashed letterboxes
- Tagged fences
- Tagged old people
- Tagged fags
- Homeless / drunken people

If yes to one of the above, not a good choice.

If yes to all the above - Then I say "welcome" to you - my new neighbour!

[Smifffy]

Dave Bullet's bad neighbourhood barometer.

Add 1 point for every "yes":
- Any bodies in the gutter?
- Gunshots on a clear night?
- "doof doof" cars going past?
- Discarded condoms in the middle of the road
- Smashed letterboxes
- Tagged fences
- Tagged old people
- Tagged fags
- Homeless / drunken people

If yes to one of the above, not a good choice.

If yes to all the above - Then I say "welcome" to you - my new neighbour!

Whoa!! I didn't realise you lived next door!!

As for talking to the potential next door neighbour, I did that, and she seemed nice, and absolutely raved about the area, even the alleyway leading to the reserve down the back, which had me a little worried.

Turns out she was a complete and total nutter.

Move to the 886, we're all class & stylez here.

[The Pastor]

Hi,

The wife and I are looking at buying our first house, and have found one that looks pretty decent.

I'm wanting to check out the "dodgyness" of the area, e.g. crime rates, what the schools are like and all that stuff.

Is there a website that gives this sort of information? I can't seem to find anything online for this.

Cheers.

knock on all the neighbours doors, if they are maori dont buy!

[Shadows]

If it's anywhere in Auckland, you're fucked.

[MaxB]

Its such a crap shoot in Auckland.

This thread made me think about 2 familes I know. One lives in Otahuhu in a new house and is very happy whereas the family in Remmers was cleaned out to the point where the family dog is missing/stolen. A truck pulled up and emptied their house while the neighours looked on and did nothing.

I sometimes think the only difference between a good and bad area is the chance of violent crime happening. It seems people can get robbed where ever they live.

[Pixie]

If your only neighbours have 4 legs: Good place
2 legged neighbours: Bad place
2 legs and wings: Good place too

[Tink]

Its such a crap shoot in Auckland.

This thread made me think about 2 familes I know. One lives in Otahuhu in a new house and is very happy whereas the family in Remmers was cleaned out to the point where the family dog is missing/stolen. A truck pulled up and emptied their house while the neighours looked on and did nothing.

I sometimes think the only difference between a good and bad area is the chance of violent crime happening. It seems people can get robbed where ever they live.

Yup I live in a great neighbourhood, and we have problems occasionally, mostly cause its a fishing access, had a bit of drugs etc... but overall we pay huge rates, and still can get burgled. My neighbour came faster than the police once, when I found some undesirables looking in my windows, (while I was home)... easy pickings rural properties, unless they have a big dog...

I personally would not live in Otahuhu, but there are good and bad in every area, your example of Remmers "didn't they just find a P house there"... go figure...

You will know when it feels right... -df- ! :)

[The Stranger]

Yup I live in a great neighbourhood, and we have problems occasionally, mostly cause its a fishing access, had a bit of drugs etc...

Yup, when fishermen move into an area you just know it's going to turn to shit.

[Skyryder]

I've moved a bit over the years in Chch and having lived here for most of my life I'm well aware of what suburbs to stay clear of and what ones are ok. In 'dodgy' areas there is usually an 'aura' of untidyness and general shabbyness due to the inhabitants lack of careing for their properties. Another 'givaway' is the type of car that are owned in the area. I'm not talking abut anything flash here but has the car been maintained.......................does it match the house and surroundings. None of these two 'markers' are guarantees but can be used as fairly reliable indicators of those that live in the area.......................a cruise around Saturday night.............and drive on Sunday morning looking for broken glass bottles etc would be well worth your trouble. Roaming dogs can be another indicator.

Skyryder

[Bren]

All it takes is one bad seed to ruin a street....so the street may be good now....but in the future it could go down hill if the wrong people move into the neighbourhood...as someone else said, its like a game of craps...Personally, I would not want to live north of say Taupo...

Good way to test the neighbourhood....walk around it at 1am on a sunday morning...walk, dont drive. If you feel comfortable then it may be okay, and if you turn up to your car dead after your walk then its a bad place!!!

[-df-]

Good way to test the neighbourhood....walk around it at 1am on a sunday morning...walk, dont drive. If you feel comfortable then it may be okay, and if you turn up to your car dead after your walk then its a bad place!!!

Hmmmm....don't think thats wise in any part of Auckland!!

[Smifffy]

All it takes is one bad seed to ruin a street....so the street may be good now....but in the future it could go down hill if the wrong people move into the neighbourhood...as someone else said, its like a game of craps...Personally, I would not want to live north of say Taupo...

Good way to test the neighbourhood....walk around it at 1am on a sunday morning...walk, dont drive. If you feel comfortable then it may be okay, and if you turn up to your car dead after your walk then its a bad place!!!

Yeah areas can tend to go in stages, like for a little while there was tagging all over the place, now not so much. I'd like to think that the occasional home-owner with a bait knife got the message through, but I'm more inclined to think that the little shits that did it have now aged (grown up, or matured don't seem appropriate words to use) and graduated to either violent or property crime or else they're already banged up or dead.

[Tank]

Hmmmm....don't think thats wise in any part of Auckland!!

nonsense - Where we live there is very little crime at all. Often walk home from friends in the wee small hours and would never worry about trouble. Heck Mrs Tank who is 5'2" walks home from frinds if she had had a couple of wines and she feels 100% safe.

You just got to find the right area.

[Winston001]

There is very sound advice in the above posts. The school decile ratings will help too - the higher the better.

Location location location. Buy the worst house in the best street. I know some think this is snobbish but that's nonsense. Your home is also your largest investment and buying right today will repay you in spades over the coming decades.

One useful test when buying is to imagine trying to sell the house. Why would anyone else buy it? It can bring you down to earth.

[Winston001]

This thread made me think about 2 familes I know. One lives in Otahuhu in a new house and is very happy whereas the family in Remmers was cleaned out to the point where the family dog is missing/stolen. A truck pulled up and emptied their house while the neighbours looked on and did nothing.


Any of us can get burgled regardless of where we live. However crime statistics show that most burglaries occur in poor areas and close to the offenders homes. The whole-house style thefts are unusual and organised: they are certainly aimed at wealthy areas to make the job worthwhile. But it still leaves the greatest risk falling on those who can least afford it.

[EJK]

Can't be worse than Manukau

[firefighter]

If it's anywhere in Auckland, you're fucked.

.........Or ChCh!

[MaxB]

Can't be worse than Manukau

Funny that the last crime stats acc. to the Sunday Star Times puts Manukau City 5th in the crime league table. This is per capita. In no particular order Hastings, Auckland City, Wanganui and Waitakere City all beat Manukau.

There always a catch in that there is still heaps of crime in Manukau, just heaps of people to witness it.

BTW By next year Manuaku City will be bigger than ChCh.

[Shadows]

BTW By next year Manuaku City will be bigger than ChCh.

And there'll be nobody left in Samoa

[paturoa]

There are several youth ethnic gangs operating in that area including D.M.S. - Drugs Money Sex and T.O.C. - Thugs of Canal.

Quite a lot of issues with truents from Avondale High as well.

[scumdog]

There are several youth ethnic gangs operating in that area including D.M.S. - Drugs Money Sex and T.O.C. - Thugs of Canal.

Quite a lot of issues with truents from Avondale High as well.

If they weren't so mindlessly violent they would laughable effwits with delusions of greatness and importance...

[kevfromcoro]

I went up into Burma a few years ago...
Now thats a dodgy area.............
shifty cunts.. that mob.......

[Forest]

Have a look at the local liquor stores.

If they're open late and the doors/windows are heavily reinforced, there's likely to be some dodgy characters in your area.

If there's a dead Indian bloke behind the counter, they've already done their shopping for the night.