Is Chaires South & Waterford safe?
Tallahassee, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Chaires South & Waterford as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Chaires South & Waterford
“Go. Chaires South & Waterford is an exceptionally safe, tranquil semi-rural and suburban enclave in eastern Leon County. There are virtually no violent crime concerns, though you will need a personal vehicle for all dining, shopping, and sightseeing.”
About the area
Chaires South & Waterford is characterized by quiet residential subdivisions, large-lot single-family properties, open pastures, and pine woodlands. Located about 15 minutes east of downtown Tallahassee along the Apalachee Parkway corridor, it caters to families and outdoor enthusiasts rather than tourists seeking urban nightlife.
- Suburban / Rural
- Family-Friendly
- Quiet / Peaceful
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Chaires South & Waterford
Walk score: 8/100 · Bike score: 24/100
There are no bike-share hubs, but cyclists frequently use the multi-use trail networks inside Apalachee Regional Park or ride along paved rural shoulders.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are among the lowest in Leon County
- High homeownership rate and above-average median household incomes reflect neighborhood stability
- Spacious, low-density rural-suburban atmosphere with minimal through-traffic
Cons
- Virtually zero pedestrian infrastructure or commercial walkability
- Total reliance on personal vehicles due to absence of public transit coverage
- Isolated rural roads can feel excessively dark and unlit at night
Homelessness: Visible homelessness and encampments are practically non-existent in this rural-suburban area, with services and shelters situated miles to the west in central Tallahassee.
What Chaires South & Waterford is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and safe, with local residents commuting along Apalachee Parkway and occasional joggers in subdivision streets.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and quiet, ideal for visiting local parks or exploring surrounding canopy roads without security concerns.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Residential and quiet as commuter traffic dies down, remaining very safe for evening neighborhood strolls.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Pitch-black and deserted due to minimal street lighting, but violent street crime is practically nonexistent.
Transit, parking and getting around
StarMetro does not operate fixed-route bus service this far east into rural Leon County; there is no rail or BRT, requiring a private vehicle or rideshare for all transportation.
Parking is abundant and entirely free throughout the area, with large dedicated lots at community parks and private driveways in residential subdivisions.
Things to do in Chaires South & Waterford
- Jog, hike, or attend cross-country events at the nearby nationally acclaimed Apalachee Regional Park
- Play baseball, tennis, or let kids enjoy the playground at J. Lewis Hall Sr. Park
- Tour the historic 1800s-era Chaires Historic Schoolhouse site and explore eastern Leon County scenic canopy drives
Local favorites
- Apalachee Regional Park · County Park & Trails · 4.8★ (460)Premier multi-use recreational park famous for its pristine cross-country running courses and scenic lake trails.
- J. Lewis Hall Sr. Park · Public Park & Sports Complex · 4.6★ (180)Sprawling community park offering lighted ball fields, batting cages, basketball courts, and family picnic pavilions.
- Capitola Market & Deli · Deli & Convenience Store · 4.4★ (95)Rustic country-style corner market serving made-to-order breakfast biscuits, sandwiches, and road trip essentials.
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.