Is Burningtree Estates safe?
Decatur, Alabama · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Burningtree Estates as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Burningtree Estates
“Go. Burningtree Estates is a peaceful, affluent golf-course residential community with very low crime rates and well-kept homes. It is exceptionally safe for visitors, though entirely car-dependent with minimal public amenities within walking distance.”
About the area
Located in southeastern Decatur surrounding the Burningtree Country Club, this established suburban enclave features spacious lots, manicured lawns, and mature trees. It offers a tranquil, upscale residential setting adjacent to the scenic Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge.
- Suburban / Residential
- Golf Course Community
- Quiet / Peaceful
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Burningtree Estates
Walk score: 12/100 · Bike score: 28/100
There are no dedicated bike lanes or bike-share stations within the neighborhood, though internal residential streets have low speed limits suitable for recreational cycling; regional multi-use paths are accessible a short drive away at Point Mallard Park.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent and property crime rates are among the lowest in the Decatur metropolitan area
- High homeownership rate exceeding 85% with well-maintained properties and zero blight
- High median household income and negligible poverty rate compared to city averages
- Quiet, low-traffic residential streets ideal for jogging or evening walks
Cons
- Entirely car-dependent with virtually no commercial destinations inside the neighborhood
- Lack of pedestrian sidewalks on several residential streets
- Isolated from Decatur's downtown core, requiring a 10 to 15 minute drive for dining and shopping
- Prone to wildlife wandering into yards due to proximity to the Wheeler Refuge
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in Burningtree Estates, as social services and shelters are concentrated in downtown Decatur and along the central commercial corridors several miles away.
What Burningtree Estates is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and serene with neighborhood residents walking dogs and low residential traffic.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and safe with light traffic centered around the golf club and school bus drop-offs.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Very quiet with families at home and minimal through-traffic, offering a safe environment.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Dark and very quiet; while safe from crime, street lighting is sparse so situational awareness is recommended.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is virtually nonexistent here; Decatur's demand-response transit service (NARCOG Transit) provides limited dial-a-ride options, and there is no scheduled fixed-route bus or rail service in this neighborhood.
Parking is exceptionally easy with ample private driveways and free, unmetered curbside parking permitted on residential streets.
Things to do in Burningtree Estates
- Play a round of golf or enjoy tennis at Burningtree Country Club
- Explore the walking trails and birding overlooks at the adjacent Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge
- Take a short drive to Point Mallard Park for water park recreation, golf, and Tennessee River trails
Local favorites
- Burningtree Country Club · Country Club & Golf Course · 4.3★ (115)Private 18-hole championship golf course offering dining, swimming, and tennis facilities.
- Alfonso's Pizza & Italian Restaurant · Italian Restaurant · 4.5★ (820)Longstanding local favorite nearby serving hearty pasta dishes, calzones, and hand-tossed pizzas.
- Whitt's Barbecue · Barbecue Restaurant · 4.4★ (460)Casual, classic Southern barbecue spot near AL-67 known for pulled pork, ribs, and vinegar slaw.
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.