Are Apartments Safe in the City?

Do you need to find a new place to live? You may be a student searching for an apartment near the college you will be attending. You may have moved to a new city to take advantage of a job transfer. Whatever the reason may be, your safety is crucial. Are apartments in the city safe to dwell in?

Make Sure the Area is a Safe One

You may be searching for apartments near Slippery Rock University. If this is the case, you will want to ensure that the one you choose is the safest. There are several criteria that you will need to keep in mind. Doing so will help you to make the right choice for your needs. Safety will be at the top of your list.

One of the stats that you should pay close attention to is crime rates in the area. The college itself may have excellent security. However, the area that the college is situated in may be less than ideal. If this is the case, you will have to weigh whether convenience in location is worth the risk to your safety.

You can take the guesswork out of the equation by getting to know the area before you move there. You can speak to residents in the area. You can also do some research on the web. This should involve getting to know what the stats involving crime are like. It’s also a good idea to talk to local authorities.

Check the Lighting Around the Complex

The next thing you will need to do is make sure that the complex is well lit. You don’t want to be caught unaware in a dark area where no one can see what may be happening to you. So it’s best to choose a complex where every area is served with lighting that is bright enough to scare away any criminal.

This is especially important for areas that you will be using regularly. These can include hallways, general parking areas, mailrooms, storage rooms, waste management areas, etc. You also want to make sure the stairwells and laundry areas are always brightly lit.

Emergency Exits Need to Be in Good Shape

One of the primary concerns you should have should be the general state of all emergency exits. This will be one of your first tip-offs about how well the owners regard the general concept of apartment security. You want to ensure that these exits are easy to spot, brightly lit, and well maintained.

Make sure that you can get safely in and out of a building before you agree to live there. You can start by making sure that there are fire escape plans posted. You should also ensure the fire escape, if one exists, is in good order. If you are close to ground level, make sure you can open a window.

Consider How Well Kept the Complex Is

How clean is the area around the complex? If you noticed junk on the front lawn on Monday, is it still there on Wednesday? How clean and well kept are the apartments themselves? Do you see any evidence of a cleanup crew working to keep it in good order? If the answer is no, it doesn’t bode well for safety issues.

You want to make sure that the fences around the area are kept up. Likewise, all of the lights around the area should be working at night. The parking lot should be swept clean and free of obstructions. If any of these things are lacking, it’s a clear sign of owner neglect.

Safety Will Be Your Number One Concern

Several factors may cause you to prefer living in an apartment rather than a house. For example, you may not be staying in the area after graduating. You may need to conserve money. You may wish to live closer to the college that you attend. Whatever the reasons may be, safety should always be your primary concern.

Also, can read Home Improvement Tips to Beef Up Security in Your New Home

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