Is Great Lakes & Westchester Hills safe?
Decatur, Georgia · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Great Lakes & Westchester Hills as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Great Lakes & Westchester Hills
“Go. Great Lakes and Westchester Hills are among the safest, most tranquil residential enclaves in the Atlanta metro area. Visitors will experience tree-lined streets, friendly neighbors, and exceptionally low rates of violent crime.”
About the area
Located immediately north of downtown Decatur, Great Lakes and Westchester Hills consist of leafy residential streets lined with mid-century cottages, historic craftsmans, and upscale modern homes. It offers peaceful suburban quiet while keeping visitors within easy reach of Decatur's thriving culinary and cultural core.
- Peaceful Residential
- Family-Friendly
- Tree-Lined / Green
- Suburban Feel
Walking and biking in Great Lakes & Westchester Hills
Walk score: 58/100 · Bike score: 62/100
The neighborhood connects comfortably via neighborhood greenways and quiet roads to the Stone Mountain Trail and the Decatur PATH network.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are practically negligible, significantly lower than regional and national averages
- Affluent neighborhood with median household incomes well exceeding $130,000 and high homeownership
- Well-maintained sidewalks, mature tree canopies, and pleasant community park spaces
Cons
- Occasional opportunistic property theft or vehicle break-ins, common across the metro area
- Limited commercial activity within the residential streets, requiring a short walk or drive for dining and shopping
- Moderate traffic congestion on bordering thoroughfares like Clairemont Avenue and Scott Boulevard
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is practically non-existent within the neighborhood's residential interior, though occasional individuals may pass through along the commercial fringes of Scott Boulevard.
What Great Lakes & Westchester Hills is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with joggers, dog walkers, and parents walking kids to Westchester Elementary.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and quiet with light neighborhood traffic and residents out enjoying the sidewalks.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Serene and exceptionally safe for casual walks before or after dinner.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very dark and quiet; while crime risk remains minimal, basic nighttime situational awareness is prudent.
Transit, parking and getting around
MARTA serves the area with bus routes 19 and 123 along Clairemont Avenue and Scott Boulevard; the Decatur rail station (Blue Line) is about a 15 to 20-minute walk south.
Street parking is free, abundant, and straightforward on residential streets, though watch for school-zone restriction signage near Westchester Elementary during daytime hours.
Things to do in Great Lakes & Westchester Hills
- Stroll around the tranquil streets and pocket green spaces of Great Lakes
- Walk over to nearby Glenlake Park for tennis courts, an outdoor pool, and walking trails
- Take a short walk south into Downtown Decatur to explore independent shops and historic Decatur Square
Local favorites
- Community Q BBQ · Barbecue Restaurant · 4.6★ (1850)Beloved local counter-serve spot renowned for Texas-style brisket and decadent macaroni and cheese.
- Bento Cafe · Pan-Asian Restaurant · 4.4★ (320)Casual neighborhood staple serving freshly prepared sushi, bento boxes, and Taiwanese dishes.
- Taqueria del Sol · Mexican Fusion Restaurant · 4.6★ (2100)Perennially popular fast-casual spot serving unique Southern-influenced tacos and enchiladas.
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.