Is Avenel safe?
College Park, Maryland · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Avenel as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on Avenel
“Go. Avenel is a quiet, tree-lined residential enclave in College Park that experiences relatively low violent crime compared to the wider region. Visitors should exercise standard suburban vigilance regarding vehicle security, but it is generally a calm and safe area to stay or visit.”
About the area
Avenel is an established residential neighborhood in College Park nestled close to the University of Maryland campus and Adelphi border. It consists predominantly of mid-century single-family homes, leafy streets, and a mix of long-time residents, university faculty, and graduate students.
- Quiet Residential
- Tree-Lined
- University-Adjacent
- Suburban
Walking and biking in Avenel
Walk score: 42/100 · Bike score: 58/100
Capital Bikeshare stations and Veo e-bikes are available near the university perimeter, with convenient connections to the Anacostia River Trail System and Northwest Branch Trail.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Lower violent crime rates compared to adjacent Prince George's County corridors
- High rates of educational attainment and stable homeownership due to university proximity
- Quiet, low-traffic suburban residential streets
Cons
- Occasional property crimes such as theft from motor vehicles and catalytic converter thefts
- Limited commercial amenities directly within the neighborhood boundaries
- Spillover parking congestion and occasional late-night noise along perimeter roads during the academic year
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence within the residential interior of Avenel, though occasional unhoused individuals may be seen near major transit hubs and commercial strips along Route 1.
What Avenel is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and safe with dog walkers, joggers, and residents commuting to work or the university.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and family-friendly with minimal vehicular through-traffic on interior streets.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet and residential; street lighting is moderate, making it pleasant for an evening walk.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Generally safe and quiet, though standard awareness is advised along dimly lit side streets and near major thoroughfares.
Transit, parking and getting around
WMATA Metrorail Green Line service is available at College Park-U of Md and Hyattsville Crossing stations (roughly 1.5 to 2.5 miles away), complemented by Prince George's County TheBus and WMATA bus routes along surrounding corridors.
Residential street parking is readily available throughout the neighborhood, though certain blocks may require City of College Park residential permits or have restrictions during university events.
Things to do in Avenel
- Stroll or jog along the scenic, shaded residential avenues and nearby parklands
- Access the nearby University of Maryland campus arboretum and recreational facilities
- Connect to the Northwest Branch Trail for walking and cycling
Local favorites
- The Board and Brew · Cafe / Board Game Bar · 4.6★ (1250)Popular nearby spot offering craft beer, espresso drinks, sandwiches, and a massive board game library.
- Taqueria Habanero · Mexican Restaurant · 4.5★ (820)Vibrant Mexican eatery nearby serving authentic tacos, mole, and regional specialties.
- Vigilante Coffee Company · Coffee Shop · 4.7★ (1400)Renowned local roaster serving premium pour-overs, cold brews, and fresh pastries in a nearby arts district setting.
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.