Is Chace Lake safe?
Hoover, Alabama · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Chace Lake as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Chace Lake
“Go. Chace Lake is a quiet, well-maintained planned suburban neighborhood in Hoover characterized by low crime rates and a family-oriented environment. Visitors can comfortably explore the neighborhood, walk the lakeside trail, or visit surrounding amenities without safety concerns.”
About the area
Chace Lake is a master-planned mixed-use community centered around a scenic 9-acre lake in Hoover, Alabama. The neighborhood features modern craftsman-style homes, townhomes, well-kept parks, and convenient access to the retail corridors along Montgomery Highway (US-31).
- Suburban Retreat
- Family-Friendly
- Lakeside Walking
- Quiet & Clean
Walking and biking in Chace Lake
Walk score: 42/100 · Bike score: 36/100
There is no public bike-share program available; cycling is generally limited to internal neighborhood streets and the paved lake loop, as nearby multi-lane highways lack dedicated bike lanes.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are significantly lower than both the national median and the Birmingham metro average.
- Strong socioeconomic stability with high median household incomes and high homeownership rates.
- Well-lit, clean neighborhood streets with dedicated recreational walking trails around the lake.
Cons
- Isolated incidents of vehicular break-ins in commercial parking lots along nearby highway corridors.
- Car-dependent layout requires driving to access most cultural destinations and daily services.
- Heavy vehicular traffic and congestion on adjacent arterial roads during peak commuter hours.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence within the residential community of Chace Lake, with only occasional panhandling observed near major highway intersections along US-31.
What Chace Lake is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with residents jogging, walking dogs around the lake, and heading to work.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and quiet within the residential core, with steady vehicular flow near the commercial perimeters.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Pleasant and very safe for evening strolls, with dining spots along the highway seeing steady patron traffic.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely quiet and dark with minimal street activity; exceptionally safe, though standard property-locking habits apply.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is virtually nonexistent in this area; the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority (BJCTA/MAX) does not run frequent service directly through the neighborhood, making personal vehicles necessary.
Parking is ample and free throughout the area, utilizing home driveways, designated neighborhood bays, and large surface lots in adjacent commercial centers.
Things to do in Chace Lake
- Stroll or jog along the paved walking trail encircling the scenic Chace Lake.
- Explore the nearby Aldridge Gardens for 30 acres of hydrangeas, walking paths, and outdoor sculptures.
- Dine and shop at the retail centers along Montgomery Highway and nearby Riverchase.
Local favorites
- Taco Mama - Hoover · Mexican Restaurant · 4.5★ (1250)Vibrant local counter-service eatery serving craft tacos, fresh guacamole, and margaritas.
- Cajun Steamer Bar & Grill · Cajun Restaurant · 4.3★ (1820)Lively roadhouse serving Louisiana-style seafood boils, po' boys, and gumbo.
- Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux · Sports Bar · 4.3★ (1640)Spacious sports lounge offering Southern-inspired pub fare and wall-to-wall TV screens.
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.