Is Broadwater Estates safe?
Fort Washington, Maryland · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Broadwater Estates as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Broadwater Estates
“Go. Broadwater Estates is a quiet, affluent suburban community with very low violent crime rates and stable, well-maintained properties. Visitors have little reason to worry about personal safety, though a vehicle is required to get around.”
About the area
Broadwater Estates is an established, scenic residential subdivision situated in Fort Washington, Maryland, near Piscataway Creek and the Potomac River. The neighborhood features spacious single-family homes, mature tree cover, and secluded cul-de-sacs. It serves primarily as a peaceful bedroom community for professionals working in Prince George's County, Northern Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
- Quiet Suburban
- Family-Friendly
- Wooded / Scenic
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Broadwater Estates
Walk score: 12/100 · Bike score: 22/100
There are no dedicated bike lanes or Capital Bikeshare stations in the subdivision; cycling is limited to sharing the road with vehicles on winding suburban streets.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Very low violent crime rate compared to state and national averages
- High homeownership rate and above-average median household income fostering community stability
- Low-traffic, secluded residential streets offering a peaceful environment
Cons
- Completely car-dependent with no walkable retail or dining options
- Occasional opportunistic property crimes such as unlocked car trespassing
- Limited street lighting on winding, wooded residential roadways after dark
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a factor in Broadwater Estates, and there are no encampments or panhandling in the subdivision.
What Broadwater Estates is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and calm, with occasional joggers, dog walkers, and commuters pulling out of private driveways.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Safe and unhurried, with light local residential traffic and regular delivery vehicle activity.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet residential setting as residents return home, remaining very safe for an evening walk.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Pitch-dark in sections due to sparse streetlamps, but overall personal safety remains high with negligible foot traffic.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transportation is operated by Prince George's County TheBus and WMATA, but service directly inside the subdivision is practically nonexistent; the nearest Metrorail stations (Branch Ave and Southern Ave on the Green Line) are about a 20-minute drive away.
Parking is effortless throughout the neighborhood, with wide private driveways and free, unrestricted curb parking on residential streets.
Things to do in Broadwater Estates
- Tour the historic 19th-century coastal fortifications and riverfront trails at nearby Fort Washington Park
- Play a round of golf amidst scenic terrain at the nearby National Golf Club at Tantallon
- Enjoy fishing, kayaking, and nature watching along the shores of Piscataway Creek
Local favorites
- Topolino · Italian Restaurant · 4.3★ (1420)Longstanding local staple serving traditional Italian pasta, pizza, and entrees in a casual setting.
- Thai Taste Kitchen · Thai Restaurant · 4.5★ (310)Neighborhood strip-mall spot offering classic noodle dishes, curries, and authentic Southeast Asian fare.
- Taqueria Los Perez · Mexican Restaurant · 4.6★ (480)Popular counter-serve destination known for flavorful street tacos, pupusas, and tortas.
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.