The biggest unknown you have to worry about when you are buying or renting a new house is the neighbors. Are they loud, do they have a lot of parties or fights, do they harass other neighbors, etc. Having a bad neighbor can add a lot of stress to your life, and it's something that's not easily fixed; it's better to avoid it in the first place. One way to do this is to call the local police department prior to buying or renting a new house. In most areas the police are more than happy to tell you about the calls they receive in a given area. If there are a lot of noise complaints, domestic disputes, crime, or disputes between neighbors, you know to look elsewhere. Doing this before you buy or rent a new place can save you a lot of grief further down the road.