Is Chaires & Capitola safe?
Tallahassee, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Chaires & Capitola as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Chaires & Capitola
“Go. Chaires and Capitola offer a quiet, semi-rural escape in eastern Leon County characterized by large properties, horse farms, and open green space. It is exceptionally safe from violent street crime, though visitors should be mindful of winding country roads and remote conditions.”
About the area
Located east of Tallahassee proper, Chaires and Capitola are peaceful, unincorporated rural-suburban communities with a blend of heritage homesteads, modern acreage subdivisions, and historic schoolhouses. The area features low population density, heavy tree cover, and a tight-knit community feel.
- Rural & Peaceful
- Car-Dependent
- Family-Friendly
- Canopy Roads
Walking and biking in Chaires & Capitola
Walk score: 7/100 · Bike score: 24/100
There are no dedicated bike paths or bike-share hubs in Chaires-Capitola; cyclists must share narrow two-lane rural roads with motor traffic.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly lower violent and property crime rates compared to urban Tallahassee
- High rates of homeownership and stable, spacious single-family residential properties
- Tranquil rural setting with ample parks, canopy roads, and community recreation facilities
- Solid median household incomes with minimal commercial blight
Cons
- Virtually non-existent pedestrian infrastructure with no sidewalks or streetlights on country roads
- Long emergency response times due to the semi-rural distance from central Tallahassee hubs
- Complete vehicle dependency for all dining, shopping, and emergency services
- Isolated rural parcels can occasionally experience opportunistic equipment or vehicle theft
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is practically nonexistent in Chaires and Capitola due to its rural geography and lack of commercial corridors or social services.
What Chaires & Capitola is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and serene with light commuter traffic and morning mist along open pastures.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Quiet and safe, though high-speed rural road traffic requires vigilance if walking along unpaved shoulders.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Very calm as residents return home, though visibility drops rapidly at sunset due to lack of streetlights.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely dark and tranquil with negligible foot traffic and low risk of street crime, but driving requires caution for wildlife.
Transit, parking and getting around
StarMetro does not operate fixed-route bus service to Chaires or Capitola, meaning visitors must rely entirely on private vehicles or rideshares.
Parking is abundant and free at local parks, community centers, and businesses, with no metered spots or parking garages in the area.
Things to do in Chaires & Capitola
- Explore the sports fields, playground, and paved walking paths at J. Lewis Hall Sr. Woodville/Chaires Park
- Visit the historic 1929 Chaires School and adjacent community center grounds
- Take a scenic drive along tree-canopied backroads like Capitola Road and Chaires Cross Road
Local favorites
- Chaires Community Center & Park · Park / Recreation · 4.6★ (120)A popular local hub featuring tennis courts, ball fields, playgrounds, and picnic pavilions.
- Capitola Grocery · Convenience Store / Deli · 4.3★ (45)A classic country corner store offering quick essentials, hot snacks, and cold drinks.
- JR's Aucilla River Store · General Store · 4.7★ (85)Rustic nearby outpost offering outdoor supplies, tackle, drinks, and local country charm.
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.