Is Bells Mill safe?
Chesapeake, Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Bells Mill as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Bells Mill
“Go. Bells Mill is an exceptionally quiet, low-crime suburban and semi-rural residential community in Chesapeake. Visitors will encounter virtually no street-level safety concerns, though you will need a personal vehicle to get around.”
About the area
Bells Mill is an established residential neighborhood in southern Chesapeake bordered by scenic waterways and wooded tracts. It features single-family homes on spacious lots, quiet subdivision streets, and close proximity to the Elizabeth River. The area offers a tranquil, family-oriented environment with minimal commercial congestion.
- Suburban / Quiet
- Family-Friendly
- Car-Dependent
- Wooded / Scenic
Walking and biking in Bells Mill
Walk score: 18/100 · Bike score: 32/100
There is no local bike-share program, and dedicated on-road bike lanes are sparse, though quiet subdivision streets are easy to cycle for recreation.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime and property crime rates are significantly lower than both national and regional averages
- High homeownership rate and well-kept properties with stable household incomes
- Peaceful, low-traffic residential streets ideal for quiet daytime strolls
Cons
- Heavily car-dependent with minimal pedestrian infrastructure such as connected sidewalks
- Narrow two-lane roads along Bells Mill Road with limited street lighting at night
- Very few commercial amenities within walking distance inside the neighborhood proper
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in Bells Mill due to its suburban, residential nature, with community services concentrated in larger commercial districts of Chesapeake and Norfolk.
What Bells Mill is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and safe, with light local commuter traffic and residents walking dogs in cul-de-sacs.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and family-centered with children playing outside and negligible safety concerns.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet residential atmosphere; very safe, though side roads can be dark.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely low activity and very safe, though caution is advised when driving on dimly lit corridors.
Transit, parking and getting around
Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) provides bus service in Chesapeake, but routes do not directly serve the Bells Mill residential interior. The nearest light rail (The Tide) is in Norfolk, approximately 15 miles away.
Ample free residential driveway and street parking is available throughout the neighborhood, and commercial lots along nearby thoroughfares offer free, hassle-free parking.
Things to do in Bells Mill
- Launch a kayak or enjoy water views along the Southern Branch Elizabeth River
- Take a short drive to the nearby Chesapeake Arboretum for nature walks and gardens
- Explore historical waterways and walking trails at the nearby Great Bridge Lock Park
Local favorites
- The Cutting Edge Cafe · Cafe & Deli · 4.8★ (460)Beloved local spot offering handcrafted sandwiches, seasonal soups, and fresh bakery items.
- Bergey's Breadbasket · Bakery & Deli · 4.8★ (1650)Country-style bakery famous for homemade pies, sandwiches, and soft-serve ice cream.
- El Toro Loco Mexican Bar & Grill · Mexican Restaurant · 4.4★ (720)Casual neighborhood eatery serving traditional Mexican platters and margaritas nearby.
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.