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 one of the safest and most tranquil residential enclaves in the greater Columbia metropolitan area. Visitors can explore the serene lakeside roads with virtually no concerns regarding violent crime.”
About the area
Arcadia Lakes is an affluent, heavily wooded town nestled among seven scenic lakes just northeast of Columbia and Forest Acres. The enclave is overwhelmingly residential, featuring established mid-century and custom waterfront homes with virtually no commercial congestion.
- Quiet Residential
- Tree-Lined / Lakeside
- Affluent Suburb
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Arcadia Lakes
Walk score: 14/100 · Bike score: 28/100
There is no local bike-share program and roads lack dedicated bike lanes, though neighborhood streets have low traffic suitable for confident leisure cyclists.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are exceptionally low and well below state and national benchmarks
- High median household income exceeding $110,000 with very low poverty rates
- Strong civic pride with a high homeownership rate and well-maintained properties
- Peaceful, quiet environment buffered by lush canopy and private lakes
Cons
- Strictly car-dependent with minimal public amenities within walking distance
- Many lakes and shorelines are private property with restricted public water access
- Narrow residential roads often lack sidewalks and street lighting
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is practically non-existent within the town limits, though occasional individuals may be seen near major transit stops along Two Notch Road outside the enclave.
What Arcadia Lakes is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and safe, with occasional residents walking dogs or jogging along the residential lanes.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and quiet with light neighborhood vehicle traffic moving along Trenholm and Arcadia roads.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Serene and relaxing with minimal ambient noise, feeling completely safe for an evening stroll.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very dark due to limited streetlights and dense trees, but exceptionally quiet and low in crime risk.
Transit, parking and getting around
The COMET (Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority) operates limited bus routes on adjacent arterial corridors like Decker Boulevard and Two Notch Road, but no transit lines penetrate the interior residential streets of Arcadia Lakes.
Parking is exclusively free private driveways and ample surface lots at nearby commercial plazas; street parking is restricted or limited on narrow neighborhood roads.
Things to do in Arcadia Lakes
- Take a scenic drive or jog along the winding, tree-canopied roads around Lake Arcadia and Cary Lake
- Explore the vibrant international dining options along the adjacent Decker Boulevard corridor
- Visit nearby Sesquicentennial State Park for hiking trails and paddling just minutes north
Local favorites
- Inakaya Japanese Restaurant · Japanese Restaurant · 4.6★ (1150)Long-running, authentic Japanese spot renowned for traditional sushi and homestyle classics on the border of Arcadia Lakes.
- Tacos Nayarit · Mexican Restaurant · 4.7★ (840)Beloved local eatery serving flavorful street tacos, birria, and authentic Mexican plates just off Decker Boulevard.
- Little Pigs Barbecue · Barbecue Restaurant · 4.5★ (3200)Iconic Midlands buffet institution famous for pulled pork with three regional South Carolina sauces.
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.