Is Bellwood Meadows safe?
Virginia Beach, Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Bellwood Meadows as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Bellwood Meadows
“Go. Bellwood Meadows is a peaceful, established suburban community in Virginia Beach with remarkably low violent crime rates. Visitors will find safe, family-oriented residential streets surrounded by easy access to major South Hampton Roads shopping and recreational hubs.”
About the area
Bellwood Meadows is a classic Virginia Beach residential subdivision characterized by well-kept single-family homes, quiet cul-de-sacs, and mature landscaping. It sits near major thoroughfares like South Independence Boulevard and Princess Anne Road, offering suburban tranquility alongside easy driving access to regional parks and shopping centers.
- Quiet Residential
- Family-Friendly
- Suburban
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Bellwood Meadows
Walk score: 24/100 · Bike score: 38/100
There are no dedicated bike-share stations in the immediate neighborhood, but wide neighborhood streets are pleasant for casual riding, with connections to city multi-use paths along major nearby parkways.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are significantly lower than both national and regional averages
- High homeownership rate with stable, well-maintained properties and low vacancy
- Strong median household income exceeding $90,000 with low poverty levels
- Close proximity to extensive municipal parks and recreation facilities
Cons
- Occasional opportunistic property crimes like unlocked vehicle larcenies occur along suburban streets
- Strictly car-dependent layout with almost no walkable commercial services directly in the neighborhood
- Public transit coverage is very sparse with long headways
- Traffic congestion along adjacent Princess Anne Road and South Independence Boulevard during peak hours
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence within Bellwood Meadows. Occasional panhandling may be observed near major commercial intersections along South Independence Boulevard or Princess Anne Road.
What Bellwood Meadows is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with residents jogging, walking dogs, and commuting out to work.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and quiet with standard suburban traffic and children playing in yards after school.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Well-lit and tranquil as residents return home, feeling very safe for neighborhood strolls.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely dark and silent with virtually no street foot traffic; typical suburban nighttime awareness is sufficient.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is provided by Hampton Roads Transit (HRT), with bus routes running along nearby arterial corridors like Princess Anne Road; there is no light rail or BRT nearby, making a private vehicle essential.
Parking is completely free, abundant, and straightforward, with generous residential driveway spaces and unrestricted curbside street parking throughout the neighborhood.
Things to do in Bellwood Meadows
- Explore the scenic trails, freshwater fishing, and kayak launches at nearby Stumpy Lake Natural Area
- Walk the multi-use lake loop trails and picnic at iconic Mount Trashmore Park, just a short drive away
- Browse local boutiques, big-box retailers, and dining options at Landstown Commons shopping center
Local favorites
- Judy's Sichuan Cuisine · Sichuan Restaurant · 4.5★ (1120)Renowned regional dining spot serving authentic, spicy Sichuan dishes and handmade dumplings.
- Pop's Diner Co. · American Diner · 4.4★ (1450)Beloved retro-style local diner dishing out hearty breakfast staples, burgers, and comfort food.
- The Casual Pint of Virginia Beach · Beer Bar & Taproom · 4.7★ (460)Neighborhood gathering spot featuring dozens of rotating craft beers on tap, pub grub, and package beer.
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.