Is Arlington Hills safe?
Jacksonville, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Arlington Hills as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Arlington Hills
“Go with care. Arlington Hills is a quiet mid-century residential neighborhood that is generally safe for everyday daytime visits, though basic suburban awareness is recommended. Visitors should keep vehicles locked and avoid poorly lit commercial strips late at night.”
Jacksonville Sheriff's Office conducts focused patrols along surrounding commercial corridors like University Boulevard to address periodic vehicle burglaries and retail theft.
About the area
Arlington Hills is an established post-war suburban neighborhood located in Greater Arlington, east of downtown Jacksonville. The area is characterized by single-family ranch homes, mature oak canopies, and strip-style retail along its peripheral arterial roads.
- Suburban
- Car-Dependent
- Mid-Century
- Quiet
Walking and biking in Arlington Hills
Walk score: 36/100 · Bike score: 40/100
There are no public bike-share stations in the area, and dedicated bike lanes are scarce, meaning cyclists must navigate mixed traffic on standard roadway shoulders.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Established, quiet residential streets with minimal through-traffic inside the neighborhood loops
- Direct vehicular access to Downtown Jacksonville via the Arlington Expressway
- Affordable neighborhood footprint with stable long-term homeowners
- Close proximity to riverfront parks and St. Johns River boat ramps
Cons
- Elevated property crime rates, especially car break-ins, near adjacent commercial plazas
- Discontinuous sidewalk network creating safety hazards for pedestrians
- Pocketed pockets of economic distress and higher rental turnover along peripheral arterials
Homelessness: Homelessness is virtually nonexistent inside the residential blocks, with occasional individuals visible near bus shelters and commercial plazas along the main surrounding thoroughfares.
What Arlington Hills is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and calm as residents depart for work, feeling very safe with light neighborhood traffic.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Safe and active with school buses and delivery trucks, though drivers should watch for pedestrians given limited sidewalks.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet throughout interior residential streets, though caution is recommended near commercial intersections after dark.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Generally inactive, but poorly lit side streets warrant staying indoors or traveling strictly by vehicle.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is provided by the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA), primarily through bus routes along University Boulevard and Merrill Road, with no rail or BRT service nearby.
Parking is exceptionally easy, consisting of ample free driveway space in residential zones and large, free surface lots fronting all local businesses.
Things to do in Arlington Hills
- Stroll the boardwalks and riverfront fishing pier at nearby Blue Cypress Park
- Drive through the neighborhood to view well-preserved 1950s and 1960s mid-century ranch architecture
- Enjoy casual dining and local Caribbean and Southern comfort spots along the Arlington corridors
Local favorites
- Austin's Soul Food Restaurant · Soul Food Restaurant · 4.3★ (420)Down-home counter-serve spot offering hearty portions of fried chicken, ox tails, and classic Southern sides.
- El Mofongo Restaurant · Puerto Rican Restaurant · 4.4★ (680)Authentic Latin eatery celebrated for its traditional mofongo, pernil, and plantain dishes.
- Arlington Smokehouse · Barbecue Restaurant · 4.2★ (310)No-frills local smokehouse serving tender ribs, pulled pork, and homestyle barbecue 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.