Is Arcadia Lakes safe?
Columbia, South Carolina · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Arcadia Lakes as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Arcadia Lakes
“Go. Arcadia Lakes is an exceptionally quiet, affluent residential enclave nestled around scenic lakes just northeast of Columbia. Visitors will find virtually nonexistent violent crime and tranquil tree-lined streets, making it one of the safest suburban areas in the metro region.”
About the area
Arcadia Lakes is an incorporated residential town characterized by mid-century single-family homes, private lakes, and dense tree canopies. It offers a secluded, tranquil atmosphere minutes from the commercial corridors of Forest Acres and Columbia.
- Peaceful / Lakeside
- Suburban Enclave
- Scenic & Wooded
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Arcadia Lakes
Walk score: 14/100 · Bike score: 28/100
There are no dedicated bike lanes or municipal bike-share stations, though local side streets carry light traffic suitable for experienced cyclists.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are significantly lower than state and national medians
- High median household income exceeding $95,000 and poverty rate under 5%
- Well-maintained single-family properties with high homeownership rates above 85%
- Scenic natural surroundings with several tranquil lakes and mature pine canopies
Cons
- Almost purely residential with minimal commercial or dining options within town borders
- Absence of sidewalks along many winding, narrow lake access roads
- Total reliance on personal vehicles for dining, shopping, and entertainment
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is virtually non-existent within the residential interior of Arcadia Lakes, though occasional individuals may be seen along major commercial corridors like Two Notch Road outside town limits.
What Arcadia Lakes is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and serene with neighborhood residents walking dogs along quiet lakeside roads.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and low-traffic residential environment with minimal non-resident activity.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet and dark with almost exclusively residential neighborhood traffic.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very safe but quite secluded and dimly lit, requiring care when driving narrow roads.
Transit, parking and getting around
There is no passenger rail service in the area; public transit is limited to regional The COMET bus routes operating along adjacent thoroughfares like Two Notch Road and Decker Boulevard.
Parking is abundant on private residential driveways, and street parking regulations are strictly enforced by the town; retail centers in adjacent Forest Acres offer ample free surface parking.
Things to do in Arcadia Lakes
- Drive or jog along the scenic wooded loops surrounding Cary Lake and Spring Lake
- Visit the nearby Trenholm Plaza for boutique shopping and outdoor dining
- Explore the nearby Sesquicentennial State Park located just minutes northeast on Two Notch Road
Local favorites
- Tazza Kitchen Trenholm Plaza · New American Restaurant · 4.6★ (840)Popular nearby neighborhood spot serving wood-fired pizzas, craft cocktails, and seasonal plates.
- The Gourmet Shop · Cafe & Specialty Market · 4.7★ (1250)Beloved nearby market and cafe famed for its chicken salad, fine cheeses, and outdoor patio seating.
- Original Pancake House - Columbia · Breakfast Restaurant · 4.5★ (1620)Classic nearby breakfast staple known for Dutch babies, apple pancakes, and hearty omelets.
Scores are safety-driven — recent reported crime and local news plus Census income, poverty, housing, education, household and access data — refreshed nightly. Walk and bike scores are shown separately and do not affect the safety score. A guide, not a guarantee — conditions change street to street.