Is Cardinal Estates safe?
Virginia Beach, Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Cardinal Estates as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Cardinal Estates
“Go. Cardinal Estates is a peaceful, established suburban community in Virginia Beach with very low rates of violent crime. While it holds little appeal for traditional tourists, it is a safe and quiet residential neighborhood for visiting family or renting locally.”
About the area
Cardinal Estates is a mid-century residential neighborhood in Virginia Beach characterized by single-family ranch-style homes, mature trees, and quiet residential streets. It sits conveniently near major thoroughfares like Virginia Beach Boulevard and I-264, providing easy access to Town Center and the oceanfront.
- Quiet Suburb
- Family-Friendly
- Car-Dependent
- Residential
Walking and biking in Cardinal Estates
Walk score: 28/100 · Bike score: 42/100
There are no dedicated bike lanes within the subdivision, but interior roads have low speed limits; there is no local bike-share system in this neighborhood.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly lower violent crime rate compared to national and regional averages
- High rate of owner-occupied single-family homes ensuring neighborhood stability
- Quiet, low-traffic interior streets with minimal non-local vehicle flow
- Close proximity to Bow Creek Recreation Center and central shopping hubs
Cons
- Car-dependent with very few walkable retail or dining options inside the neighborhood
- Occasional opportunistic property crimes such as unlocked vehicle break-ins
- Limited sidewalk infrastructure along older residential streets
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is practically nonexistent within Cardinal Estates, though occasional panhandling may occur near retail centers along adjacent commercial corridors.
What Cardinal Estates is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Very peaceful with neighbors walking dogs, children waiting for school buses, and low commuter traffic.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and safe with standard residential activity and delivery vehicles traversing the streets.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet atmosphere as residents return home, remaining safe for evening strolls.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely dark and quiet with minimal street lighting; safe, but situational awareness is advised against vehicle tampering.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is operated by Hampton Roads Transit (HRT), with bus routes running along peripheral arterials like Virginia Beach Boulevard, but interior streets have no direct transit service.
Parking is completely hassle-free with ample private driveways and free, unrestricted curb parking on all residential streets.
Things to do in Cardinal Estates
- Visit the nearby Bow Creek Recreation Center for swimming, fitness classes, and indoor sports
- Take a short drive to Mount Trashmore Park for walking trails, lake views, and kite flying
- Spend an afternoon shopping and dining at the nearby Lynnhaven Mall corridor
Local favorites
- The Egg Bistro · Breakfast & Brunch Restaurant · 4.6★ (1850)Popular local spot serving creative Benedicts, craft breakfast cocktails, and hearty skillets.
- Jose Tequilas Mexican Grill and Bar · Mexican Restaurant · 4.3★ (1240)Lively regional favorite offering generous portions of fajitas, tacos, and large margaritas.
- Pelon's Baja Grill · Californian / Mexican Restaurant · 4.5★ (1620)Casual eatery known for authentic San Diego-style fish tacos, burritos, and relaxed coastal vibes.
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.