Is Cheat Neck safe?
Cheat Lake, West Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Cheat Neck as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Cheat Neck
“Go. Cheat Neck is an exceptionally safe, scenic, and affluent community situated along the shores of Cheat Lake. While it is completely car-dependent with minimal pedestrian infrastructure, violent and property crime rates are among the lowest in the Morgantown metropolitan area.”
About the area
Cheat Neck is a quiet, upscale residential and recreational enclave surrounding the northeastern reaches of Cheat Lake in Monongalia County. Visitors come to enjoy boating, waterfront dining, golfing, and access to nearby outdoor recreation in Coopers Rock State Forest.
- Affluent Lakeside
- Quiet / Residential
- Scenic Nature
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Cheat Neck
Walk score: 12/100 · Bike score: 20/100
There is no municipal bike-share system, and riding on main roads can be hazardous due to curves and narrow shoulders; however, the paved Cheat Lake Trail provides excellent off-road cycling.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Very low rates of violent and property crime well below state and national benchmarks
- High median household incomes, strong homeownership, and well-maintained properties
- Scenic access to water sports, lakeside dining, and outdoor recreation
Cons
- Completely car-dependent with narrow, winding roads and virtually no sidewalks
- Limited commercial density requiring travel to central Morgantown or Glenmark Centre for major retail
- Winter driving conditions on hilly lakeside roads can be hazardous
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in Cheat Neck. Social services and shelters are concentrated in downtown Morgantown roughly 8 miles to the southwest.
What Cheat Neck is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and quiet with minimal traffic aside from morning commuters and occasional joggers along residential side streets.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and safe with recreational boaters, homeowners, and visitors heading to docks or restaurants.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Lively around waterfront dining spots, while residential neighborhoods remain quiet and very secure.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely dark and tranquil with virtually no street activity, maintaining high safety levels.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is virtually nonexistent in Cheat Neck; Mountain Line Transit Authority serves central Morgantown and the WVU campuses but does not provide regular scheduled service to this area.
Parking is abundant and free in private driveways, residential areas, and business parking lots, with no metered street parking or paid garages.
Things to do in Cheat Neck
- Rent a boat or launch a kayak onto Cheat Lake from Sunset Beach Marina
- Hike or bike along the scenic 4.5-mile Cheat Lake Trail along the lake's eastern shore
- Dine on seafood and watch the sunset from waterside dining decks
Local favorites
- The Lakehouse Restaurant · American Restaurant · 4.3★ (1150)Popular waterfront dining spot offering steaks, seafood, and a lively outdoor patio overlooking the lake.
- Crab Shack Caribba · Caribbean Seafood Restaurant · 4.1★ (1280)Lively lakeside restaurant serving Caribbean-infused seafood boils, cocktails, and scenic views.
- Tropics Restaurant and Bar · Hawaiian Restaurant · 4.4★ (1420)Hawaiian-themed restaurant and tiki bar nearby offering island-style comfort food and tropical drinks.
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.