Is Brentwood safe?

Atlanta, Georgia · safety score updated nightly

64out of 100

Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.

VibeLoco rates Brentwood as “Caution”.

Gogo's take on Brentwood

“Go with care. Brentwood is a quiet, predominantly residential neighborhood in South Atlanta that offers leafy streets but very few commercial draws for casual visitors. Daytime walking is generally calm and uneventful, though pedestrian infrastructure is patchy. It is best navigated by car or bicycle unless you are visiting a resident or heading to nearby parks.”

About the area

Brentwood is a modest residential pocket in South Atlanta characterized by mid-century single-family homes, mature tree cover, and a tranquil neighborhood rhythm. It has virtually no retail or dining core within its interior borders, functioning primarily as a bedroom community. Visitors typically experience Brentwood while traveling toward neighboring parks, cultural hubs, or southside trail connections.

Quiet / Residential
Car-Dependent
Wooded Canopy
Modest Community

Walking and biking in Brentwood

Walk score: 42/100 · Bike score: 46/100

Dedicated bike lanes are largely absent within the neighborhood, but quiet residential side streets provide low-stress cycling routes toward the Pryor Street bike corridor and nearby BeltLine Southside Trail segments.

Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice

Pros

Peaceful, low-traffic residential streets ideal for quiet walks
Abundant mature tree canopy providing natural shade
Close proximity to Southside parklands and developing BeltLine connectors

Cons

Virtually no walk-up dining, retail, or entertainment within neighborhood boundaries
Inconsistent sidewalk coverage and occasional lack of crosswalks
Dim street lighting after dark on interior residential corridors
Higher baseline rates of property crime and vehicle break-ins compared to city averages

Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a significant factor within Brentwood's interior residential blocks. Small encampments and occasional panhandling are more commonly seen near commercial corridors and highway interchanges along Pryor Road and Metropolitan Parkway.

What Brentwood is like at each time of day

Morning · 5a – 11a: Mornings are calm and quiet, with occasional dog walkers and commuters making it pleasant for a stroll.
Afternoon · 11a – 5p: Afternoons remain peaceful, though pedestrians should remain alert along streets that lack continuous sidewalks.
Evening · 5p – 10p: Activity tapers off quickly around sunset, and walking is manageable but requires attention to surroundings as daylight fades.
Late night · 10p – 5a: Late nights are isolated with minimal pedestrian presence and limited lighting, making walking on foot unadvisable.

Transit, parking and getting around

The Lakewood/Fort McPherson MARTA rail station (Red/Gold lines) is located about 1.5 to 2 miles west. MARTA bus routes like Route 79 and Route 42 serve nearby perimeter avenues providing connections to rail.

Street parking is free and readily available on most residential streets with no metering or permit restrictions. Dedicated parking lots are rare due to the purely residential zoning.

Things to do in Brentwood

Take a nature walk or play disc golf at neighboring Perkerson Park
Attend an outdoor live music event at the nearby Lakewood Amphitheatre
Explore the residential architecture and lush tree-lined blocks along Dill Avenue

Local favorites

Community Grounds Cafe · Coffee Shop
A cozy, mission-driven neighborhood cafe nearby offering specialty coffee, teas, and house-made pastries.
Carver Market · Grocery Store
A community-focused neighborhood market offering fresh local produce, essential groceries, and quick bites.
Slim & Husky's Pizza Beeria · Pizza Restaurant
A popular Southside eatery serving artisan flatbread pizzas, local craft beers, and cinnamon rolls in a vibrant setting.

Scores blend recent reported crime levels, area poverty and walk/bike access, refreshed nightly. They are a guide, not a guarantee — conditions change street to street.