Is Buntyn safe?
Memphis, Tennessee · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Buntyn as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Buntyn
“Go with care. While Buntyn offers charming historic bungalow architecture and close proximity to the University of Memphis, property crime and vehicle theft remain persistent concerns in the surrounding district. Daytime visits to the neighborhood and bordering commercial streets are generally pleasant, but nighttime awareness and vehicle security are essential.”
Memphis police have maintained targeted patrols across the University District corridor to combat sporadic vehicle break-ins and property thefts.
About the area
Buntyn is a historic, tree-shaded residential enclave in East Memphis characterized by well-preserved 1920s Craftsman bungalows. Positioned just west of the University of Memphis, it features a mixed population of faculty, students, and long-term homeowners enjoying a relaxed suburban-urban hybrid feel.
- Historic / Tree-Lined
- College Adjacent
- Residential
- Quiet
Walking and biking in Buntyn
Walk score: 58/100 · Bike score: 62/100
Interior residential streets are comfortable for cycling, with easy access to bike lanes leading north toward the Shelby Farms Greenline connector routes.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Picturesque, leafy residential streets filled with historic Craftsman and Tudor revival architecture.
- Immediate proximity to cultural and collegiate amenities at the University of Memphis.
- Active neighborhood association fostering community safety and historic preservation.
Cons
- Elevated property crime rates, notably vehicle break-ins and opportunistic theft.
- Proximity to higher-crime transit corridors along Southern Avenue and rail lines.
- Uneven sidewalk quality and patchy nighttime street lighting on select interior blocks.
Homelessness: Homelessness is minimal within the interior residential blocks of Buntyn, though unhoused individuals and panhandling occasionally occur along Southern Avenue and the commercial segments of Highland Street.
What Buntyn is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and pleasant with neighborhood joggers, dog walkers, and light commuter movement.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and generally safe for casual walking, with moderate student and residential foot traffic.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet residential atmosphere, though caution is recommended around perimeter commercial corridors at dusk.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Walking alone is not recommended due to deserted streets and elevated risks of property and opportunistic crime.
Transit, parking and getting around
Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) services the perimeter with Route 36 and Route 50 buses along major arterials; there is no light rail or BRT service in this section of Memphis.
Free residential curbside parking is widely available throughout interior streets, while perimeter businesses offer dedicated free surface lots.
Things to do in Buntyn
- Stroll the quiet residential blocks to view distinct 1920s Craftsman bungalows and cottage architecture.
- Walk east to the University of Memphis campus to tour the Art Museum and public sculpture installations.
- Explore the lively dining, coffee shops, and pubs situated along the adjacent Highland Strip.
Local favorites
- Brother Juniper's · Breakfast Restaurant · 4.7★ (3250)Acclaimed breakfast institution famous for hearty award-winning omelets, homemade biscuits, and house-roasted coffee.
- RP Tracks · Bar & Grill · 4.4★ (1280)Longstanding local hangout near the railway line serving craft beer, pub fare, and legendary BBQ tofu.
- Ubee's · Hamburger Restaurant · 4.3★ (980)Casual, late-night campus-area burger spot serving specialty griddled burgers, tots, and milkshakes.
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.
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