ADVERTISEMENT

Your safety, and that of your loved ones, is paramount. Whether you always believe in the best of humankind or are overly suspicious of absolutely everyone you meet, the fact of the matter is simple: not everyone will be kind to you as you go through life. Some people may want to hurt you, take your things, and generally turn your life into hell, whether for financial gain or for pleasure.

Naturally, when you’re looking to buy a house or you’re visiting a new location, one of your priorities is staying safe. If you’re planning to take out a huge loan and finally buy a family home, odds are that you want friendly and polite neighbors who respect your boundaries. What you don’t want is fretting that your spouse or kids might get attacked every time they head out to school or work.

Internet users shared their life experiences in an informative r/AskReddit thread, revealing the red flags that indicate that you’ve just found yourself in a bad neighborhood. From bars on windows everywhere to a suspicious lack of joggers, they pointed out the signs—both overt and subtle—that you might not be all that safe in a particular area. Scroll down, upvote the red flags that you found useful, and share your own insights in the comments, Dear Pandas.

Bored Panda got in touch with personal finance expert, investor, traveler, and best-selling author Rick Orford to get his opinion about how to tell if a property is situated in a good or bad neighborhood, as well as how to pick out a great area for real estate. Read on for our full interview with him!

This post may include affiliate links.

#1

30 Street-Smart People Share How To Spot The Signs Of A Bad Neighborhood Early Enough To Leave Unharmed In Turkey you check the stray cats out. If cats are friendly towards you, approaches you for pets etc. you are in a good district. Means people in the area are seemingly nice towards animals which aren’t even their pets. Whereas if they are afraid of you, you understand that the people around are not to be f****d with. They are not nice towards harmless animals, why would they be nice to strangers?

cayyokbokic , Ömer Acar Report

Final score:
179points
Add photo comments
POST
avery0151 avatar
waddles
waddles
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

the cats here are friendly- possibly too friendly so my neighborhood is good

Vote comment up
40
40points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu

"When buying property, there’s an adage that says, 'Buy the worst property in the best area.' However, the best area can mean different things to different people," personal finance and travel expert Rick told Bored Panda that a lot depends on an individual's priorities and lifestyle.

"For instance, the 'best area' could have the best schools, libraries, and access to public transportation. Not only that, but the 'best areas' could also include sports facilities such as indoor/outdoor swimming pools, gymnasiums, tennis courts, and so on," he said.

"For example, living by the beach and having access to good schools are desirable factors in California. Other areas might have different requirements that make them more desirable. Suppose you’re living in a historical city such as Rome. In this case, locals value living near famous landmarks such as the Colosseum and quick access to public transportation. The bottom line: properties tend to appreciate more in areas that tick more boxes."

ADVERTISEMENT
RELATED:
    #2

    30 Street-Smart People Share How To Spot The Signs Of A Bad Neighborhood Early Enough To Leave Unharmed Confederate flags flying at many homes and businesses

    ricebasedvodka , Steve Baker Report

    Final score:
    179points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    rayceeyarayceeya avatar
    Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
    Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not gonna lie, I burned a few Confederate flags in my time. I hate that flag and anyone who flies it.

    Vote comment up
    124
    124points
    Vote comment down
    reply
    View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
    #3

    30 Street-Smart People Share How To Spot The Signs Of A Bad Neighborhood Early Enough To Leave Unharmed Dogs left out all day and night in fenced yards barking their heads off.

    nakedpanthersfan , Paul Sableman Report

    Final score:
    165points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu

    Meanwhile, the expert shared his thoughts about some of the indicators that can help you figure out if a certain neighborhood is 'good' or 'bad.'

    Some green flags include:

    • "Things look beautiful. I.e., architectural structures, buildings, etc.
    • Clean streets and lawns (If in suburbia)
    • Lots of desirable schools
    • New cars
    • Desirable for tourism 
    • Proximity to high-end stores."

    On the flip side, here are some signs that you're probably in a bad neighborhood:

    • "Run down infrastructure
    • Dirty roads
    • Old cars
    • Visible homeless population
    • Lots of check-cashing stores."
    #4

    30 Street-Smart People Share How To Spot The Signs Of A Bad Neighborhood Early Enough To Leave Unharmed I found out I lived in a "bad" neighborhood once when I was told pizza places didn't deliver to our house.

    supahfligh , Mizuno K Report

    Final score:
    131points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    sendoganyamakoglu avatar
    Şendoğan Yamakoğlu
    Şendoğan Yamakoğlu
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have read all the posts and understood that there is no safe place in the world...

    Vote comment up
    18
    18points
    Vote comment down
    reply
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #5

    30 Street-Smart People Share How To Spot The Signs Of A Bad Neighborhood Early Enough To Leave Unharmed When the police see me and offer me an escort out of the area. Yep. For real.

    malesack , Kindel Media Report

    Final score:
    114points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    hughcooks avatar
    Hugh Cookson
    Hugh Cookson
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Me too, many, many years ago (1980's I as I remember) when me (a young, very white British guy) wandered into an 'interesting' area in Harlem (which at the time was 99% African American and in parts apparently extremely anti white people), got given a lift out of there by 2 of New York's finest policemen who informed me that snipers would often take pot shots at people in that street !!!

    Vote comment up
    41
    41points
    Vote comment down
    reply
    View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
    #6

    30 Street-Smart People Share How To Spot The Signs Of A Bad Neighborhood Early Enough To Leave Unharmed Bars on the windows everywhere. Even the church.

    cat_daddylambo , Albin Biju Report

    Final score:
    106points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    christineschneider avatar
    Beeps
    Beeps
    Community Member
    2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This depends very much on the country. In the south of Spain, for example, it’s perfectly normal and in fact required by your home insurance. The upside is that you can just leave all of your windows open to cope with the heat all summer long.

    Vote comment up
    42
    42points
    Vote comment down
    reply
    View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu

    People crave certainty and routine, psychologist Lee Chambers explained to Bored Panda during an earlier interview a while ago. These things help us feel safe and help us plan the future in an organized manner.

    “When unpredictable situations or accidents impact us, it can be traumatic, and we will likely feel a sense of disappointment, frustration, and loss," he told us. "It is important however that we embrace the fact that the world can be unpredictable and uncertain, and become more tolerant of this being a reality.”

    “Understanding that things are sometimes out of our control helps us to accept that not everything goes to plan, and accept when things happen to us that are negative. This acceptance allows us to embrace the change and difference, and manage our expectations so we can become more resilient to the ups and downs that all our lives lead,” the psychologist said that uncertainty is an inseparable part of life. How we deal with this fact is down to us.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #7

    30 Street-Smart People Share How To Spot The Signs Of A Bad Neighborhood Early Enough To Leave Unharmed Needles on the sidewalk, as well as a bunch of litter in general. It’s a sign that people are so exhausted by living and trying to survive in an oppressive environment that caring about their surroundings mostly falls by wayside.

    Ermaquillz , dirtypanjim8 Report

    Final score:
    101points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    teodoramarkova avatar
    Teodora Markova
    Teodora Markova
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You can see that in expensive neighborhoods also, depends on the homeless people count.

    Vote comment up
    13
    13points
    Vote comment down
    reply
    View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
    #8

    30 Street-Smart People Share How To Spot The Signs Of A Bad Neighborhood Early Enough To Leave Unharmed The counter at every business has bullet proof glass

    lookinforbobo , Alan Levine Report

    Final score:
    93points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #9

    30 Street-Smart People Share How To Spot The Signs Of A Bad Neighborhood Early Enough To Leave Unharmed I live in a bad neighborhood in Baltimore, so I'm used to a lot of the things people have already put in the comments.

    I live directly next to an abandoned housing project called The Perkins Homes. Many of the old convenience stores that were once open to serve the project residents shuttered when all of the people were moved out of their homes. Though the stores and many of the people are gone, a lot of the graffiti remains. The most striking are the children's paintings of guns with big Xs through them to signify that the store was a neutral zone. There are two such paintings on the sidewalks on my block.

    Also, finding shell casings when you're taking the dogs on a walk is a good indicator. Or the bullet you find on your back doorstep the day you move in. Ahhh Baltimore - truly America's charm city.

    Herodotus_is_History , Tony Webster Report

    Final score:
    85points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT

    "Post-traumatic growth isn't always simple to explain or utilize, but often the adversity we face can create a precedent for what we can overcome, help us to see what we need to be grateful for, and give us an understanding of the support we do have. A big part of opening the door to grow from our struggles is finding acceptance and taking ownership over what you can control and finding healthy ways to express the negative emotion that comes with challenges that test us," the expert told us that adversity can often help us see what truly matters in life. Traumatic and unexpected situations can also help us better understand our values and purpose in life.
    #10

    30 Street-Smart People Share How To Spot The Signs Of A Bad Neighborhood Early Enough To Leave Unharmed You never see someone jogging.

    ludicrusmacaroni , Ketut Subiyanto Report

    Final score:
    80points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    shylabouche_1 avatar
    Shyla Bouche
    Shyla Bouche
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Conversely, you see lots of people jogging, and all of them are carrying lots of nice things.

    Vote comment up
    89
    89points
    Vote comment down
    reply
    View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
    #11

    30 Street-Smart People Share How To Spot The Signs Of A Bad Neighborhood Early Enough To Leave Unharmed Someone with a car stereo system loud enough to vibrate the dishes in your kitchen cabinets every 10 minutes. Just a little reminder, in case you forgot, that you live in a sh*thole

    VegetableImaginary24 , Ali Karimiboroujeni Report

    Final score:
    80points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    shylabouche_1 avatar
    Shyla Bouche
    Shyla Bouche
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's my new neighbor where the cops used to visit nightly. At least the new tenants don't need the police to help solve their disagreements.

    Vote comment up
    20
    20points
    Vote comment down
    reply
    View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #12

    30 Street-Smart People Share How To Spot The Signs Of A Bad Neighborhood Early Enough To Leave Unharmed An adult man riding a child's BMX bike down the center of the road.

    uninc4life2010 , Simon Carr Report

    Final score:
    75points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    khwahish_n avatar
    Nea
    Nea
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Or it could jus be a cool guy riding in the ‘I dont give a damn town’

    Vote comment up
    24
    24points
    Vote comment down
    reply
    View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
    #13

    30 Street-Smart People Share How To Spot The Signs Of A Bad Neighborhood Early Enough To Leave Unharmed The "bail bonds' billboard next to the "having a problem with your heroin addiction " billboard.

    Public-Dig-6690 , reverendlukewarm Report

    Final score:
    71points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    arkadiuszjenczak avatar
    ADJ
    ADJ
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Pardon my ignorance, but what is a bail bond? Some kind of loan to get out of jail?

    Vote comment up
    15
    15points
    Vote comment down
    reply
    View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
    #14

    30 Street-Smart People Share How To Spot The Signs Of A Bad Neighborhood Early Enough To Leave Unharmed Random grocery cart just chillin on the sidewalk. Bonus for missing wheels.

    povertymayne , Dennis Jarvis Report

    Final score:
    71points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    rangerkanootsen avatar
    Ranger Kanootsen
    Ranger Kanootsen
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I once found one while swimming in the ocean. Does this mean I was swimming in a red flag neighborhood?

    Vote comment up
    28
    28points
    Vote comment down
    reply
    View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
    #15

    30 Street-Smart People Share How To Spot The Signs Of A Bad Neighborhood Early Enough To Leave Unharmed When you mention to locals where you live and they just have a brief look of pity.

    Arcinbiblo12 , Mental Health America (MHA) Report

    Final score:
    69points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    cb_3 avatar
    cb !!!
    cb !!!
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That was me for years... Detroit doesn't exactly have a good rep :(

    Vote comment up
    8
    8points
    Vote comment down
    reply
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #16

    30 Street-Smart People Share How To Spot The Signs Of A Bad Neighborhood Early Enough To Leave Unharmed Really worn old beat-up cars right next to brand new extremely expensive cars.

    WhatIsLoveMeDo , Riley Report

    Final score:
    69points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
    #17

    30 Street-Smart People Share How To Spot The Signs Of A Bad Neighborhood Early Enough To Leave Unharmed Hearing gunshots

    camster29 , cottonbro studio Report

    Final score:
    67points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #18

    30 Street-Smart People Share How To Spot The Signs Of A Bad Neighborhood Early Enough To Leave Unharmed depends where u are because i think it might be a regional thing, but shoes hung up on power lines

    _zenora_ , Zarateman Report

    Final score:
    61points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    amandak27 avatar
    Red Hair Blue Soul
    Red Hair Blue Soul
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In my neighborhood it meant the local kids were bored and just needed something to do.

    Vote comment up
    48
    48points
    Vote comment down
    reply
    View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
    #19

    30 Street-Smart People Share How To Spot The Signs Of A Bad Neighborhood Early Enough To Leave Unharmed Your neighbors get raided by the police.

    A couple months ago, I was just chilling with my kids, waiting for my husband to be off work. Around 7 or 8pm, I hear what sounds like a semi truck pulling into the neighborhood. We live near a fire station, so I don’t think much about it at first. Within seconds, I see a BUNCH of lights flashing through my curtains, my kids are at the OPEN windows, my camera notifications are going off like crazy, and I hear a policeman over a bullhorn saying “this is the police, come out with your hands up.” Repeatedly. I look out and police cars are parked all over the street and a huge armored swat truck is parked across my driveway. I gathered my kids and took them to the back of the house for fear there would be shooting and stray bullets. Luckily, we think it was a drug bust (there has been LOTS of suspicious activity there) and the people surrendered somewhat peacefully it seemed, but it was still the scariest night of my life.

    They were all back like a week later and seem to still be selling drugs.

    TexasBeeb , Rosemary Ketchum Report

    Final score:
    57points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #20

    30 Street-Smart People Share How To Spot The Signs Of A Bad Neighborhood Early Enough To Leave Unharmed Cash Advance Business close by

    Myke190 , Taber Andrew Bain Report

    Final score:
    47points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    tamrastiffler avatar
    Tamra
    Tamra
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is not an indication of a "bad" neighborhood. Maybe an impoverished one (but not always), but not necessarily a crime-ridden one.

    Vote comment up
    37
    37points
    Vote comment down
    reply
    View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
    #21

    30 Street-Smart People Share How To Spot The Signs Of A Bad Neighborhood Early Enough To Leave Unharmed Armed security guard at the strip mall Foot Locker.

    lookinforbobo , Ron Lach Report

    Final score:
    47points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
    #22

    30 Street-Smart People Share How To Spot The Signs Of A Bad Neighborhood Early Enough To Leave Unharmed I was doing geotech work on site for a potential cell tower years ago & had to give directions to a coworker (years before google maps were a thing).

    I told him it was across the street from the burglar bar manufacturer and the attack dog training school. -pause- "really???" "Yep."

    Constant-Bet-6600 , Nur Andi Ravsanjani Gusma Report

    Final score:
    45points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
    #23

    30 Street-Smart People Share How To Spot The Signs Of A Bad Neighborhood Early Enough To Leave Unharmed The fluorescent strip club sign has at least 2 letters unlit - 1 is ok but 2 or more you know s**t goes down around the area

    ChickenFrancese , Matt Hardy Report

    Final score:
    40points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    mia-francescasambataro avatar
    Specifically
    Specifically
    Community Member
    2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Or maybe just having one strip club sign, lit or not, in your neighborhood is a red flag 🤷‍♀️

    Vote comment up
    34
    34points
    Vote comment down
    reply
    View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
    #24

    30 Street-Smart People Share How To Spot The Signs Of A Bad Neighborhood Early Enough To Leave Unharmed Dead gardens and giant weeds everywhere

    macaronsforeveryone , Tony Alter Report

    Final score:
    37points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    shylabouche_1 avatar
    Shyla Bouche
    Shyla Bouche
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That would be my neighbor. She has lots of plants, she's in her 80's, and she thinks she's taking care of the plants properly.

    Vote comment up
    16
    16points
    Vote comment down
    reply
    View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #25

    30 Street-Smart People Share How To Spot The Signs Of A Bad Neighborhood Early Enough To Leave Unharmed Kids sitting on steps who bolt inside when a cop car rolls by.

    JustinChristoph , Steve Baker Report

    Final score:
    36points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    ezekielrhymes1 avatar
    JoyfulZebra
    JoyfulZebra
    Community Member
    2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Based on the conduct of a lot of police, it's often for good reason.

    Vote comment up
    40
    40points
    Vote comment down
    reply
    View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
    #26

    30 Street-Smart People Share How To Spot The Signs Of A Bad Neighborhood Early Enough To Leave Unharmed Empty Swisher Sweets packages strewn around the neighborhood.

    mccandish , brx0 Report

    Final score:
    27points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    onezs_girl avatar
    Alice In Hell
    Alice In Hell
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Had to use the google for this one...in case anyone else is wondering.. Swisher sweets are little cigars and cigarillos.

    Vote comment up
    16
    16points
    Vote comment down
    reply
    View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
    #27

    30 Street-Smart People Share How To Spot The Signs Of A Bad Neighborhood Early Enough To Leave Unharmed Here in England at least, I would say that having a higher than average number of independent and non-mainstream fast food eateries (like kebab shops) are a pretty clear red flag. If an obviously low-income area can sustain that many independent fast food businesses, it’s a sign that the area gets a lot of drunks.

    RedWestern , zoetnet Report

    Final score:
    26points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    mattupchuck avatar
    Matt Upchuck
    Matt Upchuck
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In the UK, lots of betting shops... they are placed in areas of high depreivation as people who can afford to gamble the least usually gamble the most.

    Vote comment up
    37
    37points
    Vote comment down
    reply
    View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
    #28

    30 Street-Smart People Share How To Spot The Signs Of A Bad Neighborhood Early Enough To Leave Unharmed Certain fast food restaurants always seem to be an indicator. White Castles and Checkers are two I’ve seen often.

    jerseyjokes , Paul Sableman Report

    Final score:
    -41points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
    #29

    30 Street-Smart People Share How To Spot The Signs Of A Bad Neighborhood Early Enough To Leave Unharmed Church’s chicken

    bballin1204 , Peter Blanchard Report

    Final score:
    -72points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    summermason avatar
    Summer Mason
    Summer Mason
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    R u fking kidding me? Better than Popeyes, KFC. Wow, "stay away from black najbor hoods" is all I'm seeing on this list. 🖕 off with that. And we wonder why the USA is still largely segregated.

    Vote comment up
    53
    53points
    Vote comment down
    reply
    View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #30

    30 Street-Smart People Share How To Spot The Signs Of A Bad Neighborhood Early Enough To Leave Unharmed The street you’re on is called “Martin Luther King Blvd”.

    reverendblinddog , Mx. Granger Report

    Final score:
    -157points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    traci_speed avatar
    Traci Speed
    Traci Speed
    Community Member
    2 years ago

    What is this supposed to mean? It seems like a pretty racist remark.

    Vote comment up
    106
    106points
    Vote comment down
    reply
    View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu

    Anyone can write on Bored Panda. Start writing!

    Follow Bored Panda on Google News!