A J.C. Hart Apartment Community in Bloomington, IN

How To Research A Neighborhood In Bloomington Before You Rent An Apartment

April 14, 2025
Exterior view of East Bank Apartments in Noblesville with seating and a fire pit

Becoming familiar with a region before moving is wise to ensure you’re content in your new Bloomington apartment. Exploring in person is paramount, but you can do several other things to explore your new community. Review our helpful suggestions on how to research a neighborhood before you rent an apartment.

Explore The Locale

xterior of Penrose on Mass Apartments in Downtown Indianapolis

The best way to familiarize yourself with a neighborhood is experiencing it in person. When you have a few properties in mind, input the zip code or address into Walk Score to receive a walkability number. You’ll discover how convenient it is to walk or bike around the neighborhood. The greater the number, the more navigable the location is on foot. Explore the local eateries, coffee bars, and stores to get a feel for the neighborhood. It’s also smart to stop by at different hours to evaluate things like traffic congestion and noise levels.

Plan To Spend Time At Each Bloomington Property You’re Interested In

Kitchen with bar seating in a unit at Wheelhouse Apartments on the Monon

It’s crucial to check out each property you’re evaluating. You can acquaint yourself by browsing images and information online and even go on a virtual 3D tour. But nothing compares to experiencing it in person. Explore the outdoor areas, stop by the amenities, and walk through open units. Is the pool as nice in person as it looks online? What sense do you gather about the community as a whole? 

Interact With Neighborhood Residents

Patio with cushioned seating at The State at Fishers Apartments

One of the greatest ways to research a neighborhood is by interacting with the Residents themselves. You can explore reviews and ratings on different websites, but you may want to do a bit more. Check out social media sites connected to the property. Residents are usually willing to share their opinions. This is also a fantastic way to see if there are social gatherings you may be interested in.

Take A Trial Run Of Your Bloomington Commute

Unless you’re relocating right next to where you work, you’ll probably have a commute to consider. You can use an app to figure out the distance and approximate commute times. Set it for high-traffic times as well. But looking online doesn’t compare to trying it in in your own car. Do the drive yourself and note times to locations like grocery stores, restaurants, and other destinations you will undoubtedly go to.

Extra Ideas On How To Research Neighborhoods In Bloomington

There’s much more you can do, depending on your availability. Here are some additional tips on how to research neighborhoods in Bloomington:

  • Consult with a neighborhood real estate agent. This strategy can be quite beneficial when transferring from another region. Quite a few agents work with rentals and often know the neighborhood better than others.
  • Research schools and daycares. If you have little ones, this is a priority. You can start by accessing online resources like GreatSchools.
  • Check out local events and establishments. Participate in a community event, visit farmer’s markets, or try local restaurants to get a feel for the area.

Most towns will have internet sites you can investigate to get more information. 

Take A Tour Of City Flats on Walnut Today

Would you like to find one of the greatest neighborhoods in Bloomington? Take a tour of City Flats on Walnut today. You’ll enjoy our floor plans, amenities, and the sense of community that our team members and Residents share. See us in person or place a call to 812-578-8827 for further information.