Is Aurora Highlands safe?
Arlington, Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Aurora Highlands as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Aurora Highlands
“Go. Aurora Highlands is one of Arlington's safest and most pleasant residential neighborhoods, combining quiet suburban streets with immediate access to bustling urban amenities. Violent crime is extremely rare, though standard precautions against minor property crime like vehicle break-ins along commercial edges are recommended.”
About the area
Aurora Highlands is an attractive, leafy neighborhood characterized by early 20th-century bungalows, mid-century homes, and tree-lined sidewalks. Located directly adjacent to Pentagon City and National Landing, it offers visitors a peaceful retreat alongside quick access to extensive shopping, dining, and transit hubs.
- Family-Friendly
- Tree-Lined
- Suburban-Urban Blend
- Quiet Residential
Walking and biking in Aurora Highlands
Walk score: 78/100 · Bike score: 75/100
Capital Bikeshare stations are situated around Virginia Highlands Park and major transit points, offering seamless connections to the Four Mile Run Trail and Mount Vernon Trail networks.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Exceptionally low violent crime rate supported by high household incomes and strong community stability
- Direct walking access to Virginia Highlands Park and major shopping complexes
- Well-maintained housing stock with high homeownership and minimal vacancy
Cons
- Occasional opportunistic property theft and vehicle break-ins along border streets near transit hubs
- Cut-through traffic and congestion during peak commuting hours from nearby major thoroughfares
- Strict residential permit parking enforcement throughout the interior streets
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal within the residential core of Aurora Highlands, with occasional unhoused individuals or panhandling primarily observed around the Pentagon City Metro station entrance and nearby shopping centers.
What Aurora Highlands is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with dog walkers, runners, and commuters heading toward the Metro stations.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and safe with families visiting neighborhood parks and shoppers walking along nearby commercial corridors.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Pleasant and comfortable as neighborhood restaurants fill up along 23rd Street with very low safety concerns.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet and dark on residential side streets; safe to navigate, though general urban awareness is always sensible.
Transit, parking and getting around
Transit access is excellent via the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA); the Pentagon City and Crystal City Metrorail stations (Blue and Yellow Lines) are within a 10 to 15-minute walk, supplemented by Arlington Transit (ART) and Metrobus routes along Hayes and 23rd Streets.
Interior residential streets are largely restricted to residential zone permit holders, while metered street parking and paid parking garages are easily accessible near commercial corridors on 23rd Street and around Pentagon City.
Things to do in Aurora Highlands
- Play tennis, basketball, or relax on the green lawns at Virginia Highlands Park
- Browse books or attend neighborhood events at the Aurora Hills Branch Library and Community Center
- Explore diverse casual dining along the historic 23rd Street South restaurant strip
Local favorites
- Freddie's Beach Bar & Restaurant · American Restaurant & Bar · 4.5★ (1150)A colorful, welcoming neighborhood staple known for karaoke, weekend brunch, and lively outdoor patio seating.
- Portofino Restaurant · Italian Restaurant · 4.4★ (480)Longtime, family-run fine dining destination serving classic Italian dishes and wine in an intimate setting.
- Los Tios Grill · Salvadoran & Tex-Mex Restaurant · 4.3★ (690)Casual, vibrant local eatery known for hearty pupusas, fajitas, and margaritas.
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.