Cities / New Jersey / Paterson
It depends on the neighborhood. Of the 2 Paterson neighborhoods we score (average 58/100), 0 are comfortable to walk around with normal awareness and 2 call for more care, especially after dark. Green means comfortable on foot; red means we would not walk it casually.
What makes up this score?City average
58
Caution
Neighborhoods scored
2
0 comfortable to walk
Score mix
- Go: 0
- Go, stay aware: 0
- Caution: 2
- No-go after dark: 0
Top 2 safest neighborhoods in Paterson
- 1Lake View (Paterson)PatersonLake View is an established residential neighborhood in southern Paterson characterized by dense single- and multi-family homes, small neighborhood…64Caution
- 2Riverside (Paterson)PatersonRiverside is a compact residential and light-industrial enclave bordered by the Passaic River and Route 20 in eastern Paterson. It is characterized…52Caution
Best things to do in Paterson
- Enjoy casual recreation and open green space at nearby Weasel Brook Park right along the Clifton-Paterson border
- Sample authentic Dominican and Peruvian eateries along Lakeview Avenue and Main Street
- Explore the historic architectural mix of early 20th-century family homes along the quieter southern residential streets
- Sample authentic Latin American cuisine and pastries along River Street
- Pick up specialty Caribbean and South American ingredients at local grocery markets
- Explore the nearby historic district and open lawns of Eastside Park just south of the neighborhood
Getting around Paterson
Transit
- NJ Transit bus routes including the 74, 161, and 190 run nearby along major corridors like Main Street and Lakeview Avenue. The Clifton NJ Transit rail station on the Main/Bergen County Line is roughly a 15- to 20-minute walk south.
- NJ Transit operates bus routes including the 704 and 744 through the neighborhood; the Paterson Rail Station (Main/Bergen County Line) is roughly 1.5 miles southwest, with Hawthorne Station just across the Passaic River.
Biking & trails
- Dedicated bike lanes are virtually non-existent in the immediate neighborhood, and there is no municipal bike-share system; cyclists must share mixed-traffic roads.
- There is no bike-share system or dedicated bike lane network in Riverside, and narrow roads combined with commercial truck traffic require caution.
Parking
- Parking is primarily unmetered on residential streets, though spaces become tight in the evenings; commercial avenues have metered spots and small private customer lots.
- Street parking is notoriously difficult on narrow residential blocks, with metered spaces along commercial corridors and no public parking garages in the immediate area.
Recent news
All Paterson neighborhoods by safety score
- Lake View (Paterson)PatersonLake View is an established residential neighborhood in southern Paterson characterized by dense single- and multi-family homes, small neighborhood…64Caution
- Riverside (Paterson)PatersonRiverside is a compact residential and light-industrial enclave bordered by the Passaic River and Route 20 in eastern Paterson. It is characterized…52Caution
Paterson safety questions
What is the safest neighborhood in Paterson?
Lake View (Paterson) scores highest at 64/100, followed by Riverside (Paterson) (52).
Is Paterson safe to walk at night?
In the 0 green-rated areas, generally yes with normal awareness. In the 2 orange or red areas, stick to busy, lit streets or take a ride after dark.
Which Paterson areas should visitors be careful in?
Our lowest-scoring areas are Riverside (Paterson) (52), Lake View (Paterson) (64). Visit in daylight and stay on the main streets.
How does VibeLoco score Paterson neighborhoods?
Each score blends recent reported crime and local news with Census data on income, poverty and housing, refreshed nightly. Walk and bike scores are shown separately.