How to play 'Pokémon Go' if you live in the suburbs

When it comes to Pokémon Go, not all locations are created equal.

If you don't live in a heavily populated area, then everything from catching Pokémon to locating Gyms can be much more challenging. Luckily, if you live in the suburbs, there are a few steps you can take to maximize your success and minimize your frustration. (If you live in a very remote area, then these tips may be of limited use to you -- but they should be a good place to start for people who live in suburbs or smaller towns and cities.)

Know where to look

Unlike densely populated cities like Manhattan or San Francisco, where there are PokéStops and Gyms seemingly on every corner, suburban areas force you to look a little harder.

Keep in mind that while PokéStops and Gyms are often located at local landmarks, including parks, churches and statues, they are also found near local businesses. There's no foolproof way to find them, but the Yelp app can be an extremely helpful tool.

Of course, you'll need help locating actual Pokémon, not just the PokéStops. Finding the right places to catch new Pokémon can definitely be an exercise in frustration in less populated areas. While it may sometimes be a matter of pure dumb luck, there may be a few things you can do to maximize your chances.

Some users on Reddit have noted that truck stops and rest stops near highways often make for good spots for Pokémon hunting. The theory is that areas where there is increased cellular activity tend to have a higher concentration of Pokémon spawning.

Pokémon trackers are your friend

If you still need a little extra help, Pokévision, a website that tracks the locations of Pokémon near you, is another excellent resource. The website uses data from Pokémon Go's own servers, making it one of the more accurate Pokémon-tracking services out there. Use the website to scan your location and it will show you all the Pokémon in your area. You can only scan a new location every 30 seconds, however, and the site's Twitter account indicates that, like Pokémon Go, it sometimes has server troubles of its own.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Similarly, there are a handful of third-party apps, like Poké Radar, that aim to help players scout out the locations of nearby Pokémon.

Don't forget eggs

If you simply aren't having any luck finding new Pokémon nearby, there is another way to get new characters: eggs.

You can find eggs at PokéStops (see above) and hatching eggs is a great way to get new Pokémon that you may not otherwise be able to find in your area. Of course, as with all of this advice, there is a little luck involved -- but with some patience (and a lot of walking) you can use eggs to grow your Pokémon collection on your own.