Is Broyhill Forest safe?
Arlington, Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Broyhill Forest as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Broyhill Forest
“Go. Broyhill Forest is an exceptionally safe, quiet, and affluent North Arlington neighborhood ideal for a relaxed visit. With near-zero violent crime and beautifully maintained wooded residential streets, safety concerns are virtually nonexistent beyond basic situational awareness.”
About the area
Broyhill Forest is a classic mid-century North Arlington neighborhood defined by mature trees, hilly winding streets, and well-kept single-family homes. Situated close to parklands and stream valleys, it offers a peaceful suburban retreat just minutes from the urban corridors of Arlington and Washington, D.C.
- Quiet / Residential
- Tree-Lined
- Family-Friendly
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Broyhill Forest
Walk score: 28/100 · Bike score: 42/100
Capital Bikeshare docks are located nearby along Langston Boulevard, providing connections to regional paved multi-use routes like the Custis Trail.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Virtually nonexistent violent crime rates alongside rapid county emergency response times
- High median household incomes well above regional averages with a stable, high homeownership rate
- Tranquil, heavily canopied environment with immediate access to nature centers and parkland
- Well-maintained properties with active neighborhood civic engagement
Cons
- Strictly residential interior with zero retail or dining options within immediate walking distance
- Occasional opportunistic property crimes such as theft from unlocked vehicles
- Hilly topography and intermittent sidewalk coverage require pedestrians to share narrow roads with vehicles
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in Broyhill Forest, with no encampments or panhandling anywhere in the neighborhood.
What Broyhill Forest is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Crisp and peaceful with residents walking dogs, jogging along winding streets, and heading out for morning commutes.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Very quiet and low-traffic with excellent visibility and an active presence of delivery vehicles and landscapers.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and residential with families enjoying outdoor yards and neighbors taking post-dinner strolls in complete safety.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely dark and silent with virtually no pedestrian activity, maintaining high safety levels though sidewalks can be poorly lit.
Transit, parking and getting around
Arlington Transit (ART) bus route 52 and WMATA Metrobus routes run along bordering corridors like North Glebe Road and Old Dominion Drive; the nearest Metrorail stations are Ballston-MU and East Falls Church, located about 2.5 miles away.
Street parking is free, unrestricted, and readily available on almost every residential block, supplemented by private driveways at nearly every home.
Things to do in Broyhill Forest
- Explore the wooded hiking trails and exhibits at the nearby Gulf Branch Nature Center & Planetarium
- Walk or picnic in the shaded green spaces along Zachary Taylor Park and the Donaldson Run stream valley
- Take an architectural walking tour of mid-century modern split-levels and contemporary custom homes under lush tree cover
Local favorites
- Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe · Bakery · 4.6★ (2180)Longstanding European-style bakery nearby famous for authentic German breads, pastries, sausages, and specialty cakes.
- Old Dominion Pizza Company · Pizza Restaurant · 4.5★ (490)Locally owned neighborhood staple serving Grandma-style square pies, wings, and craft beers on tap.
- Crisp & Juicy · Peruvian Restaurant · 4.4★ (760)Popular counter-serve spot on nearby Langston Boulevard known for charcoal-broiled rotisserie chicken and traditional sides.
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.