Scope Out The Local Scene Step 4 in our process for selecting a plot of land, this can apply to all real estate purchases.  You want to try and get to know the area, the neighbors, the schools, the criminal activity, the thievery, etc.  You want to try and get to know everything about the area that you'll be building or buying in.  And that's why this step comes a little later in the process once you've narrowed down to the sites that meet your immediate needs as well as allow you to build the house that you want. It's not exactly easy though to find out all that you want in a short time.  It's hard to know an area or neighborhood by looking at it or visiting just a few times.  So there are 3 things that help you to get an "insider's idea" of the area. 1. Vary Your Visits If you show up to view a property or plot of land at the same time on the same day of the week every time you visit you won't see the whole picture.  Try making a few visits to the location at different times in the day and a few at night.  Go on weekends as well as during the week.  You might see changes in the area, neighbors, noise, traffic, etc. 2. Do A Crime Analysis The best way to get a good idea of the amount of crime in an area is to ask the police.  If you're not sure how to interpret the numbers they should help.  If not you can compare crime level numbers to other cities and neighborhoods to get a decent gauge. 3. Use The Internet For Research The Internet can be a great tool for just about anything these days.  So why not search around a bit and see what's out there.  You might find information that you can't anywhere else, like a geological history record of the area that reveals perhaps unstable soils for building.  Check for weather history and natural disaster indicators like fault lines for earthquakes.