I usually try to drive by at least 1,000 houses (sometimes 1,500+) on Saturdays or Sundays late at night just before the brush pickup begins. I figure we all have our own opinions about what is good or not-so-good territory (for lack of a better term) for scrapping. Here are my thoughts- please add your own thoughts and comments too...
1) I generally like streets laid out on a simple grid type system- all north/south and east/west. Last night I got stuck in a new neighborhood and it took me 15-20 minutes to get out of it. All the twists and turns and cul-de-sacs can be a real waste of time IMHO.
2) I prefer detached single family homes. I don't really care for $200-300k type homes on small lots that all look alike. Many of them seem to have homeowner's associations that have rules about putting trash out. As a result, I don't see too much curbside, even just before brush pickup.
3) If you have a neighborhood of, say 100 houses and 10-15 put stuff out by the curb, I like that type of territory. Even if all the stuff is brush this time, I will go back there again next time. To me that is better than a neighborhood of 100 houses with only 1-2 that have stuff by the curb.
4) It seems like neighborhoods with lots of For Sale signs are generally pretty good.
5) I don't have any way of getting into gated communities, but for someone who has access to gate codes (maybe from a good friend who lives there) I'd be curious to hear how well these work out.
6) Also I'm curious if anyone has any experience working areas that have just had storm damage. How have these worked out?
7) If you know of an area where there are parties, sometimes there will be lots of beer cans to be picked up. Any place with lots of underage drinking could be good because those kids need to get rid of the "evidence". If you live near a "Lovers' Lane", that could be prime territory for aluminum cans. I ran into remnants from two parties last night- not sure what they are celebrating in mid-July...
I imagine there is lots that I am forgetting here or haven't discovered yet. What else can you add?
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