Is Diamond Lake Estates safe?
Virginia Beach, Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Diamond Lake Estates as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Diamond Lake Estates
“Go. Diamond Lake Estates is a stable, quiet residential enclave with low violent crime and high homeownership. Visitors and residents experience a secure suburban setting where basic safety precautions are more than sufficient.”
About the area
Diamond Lake Estates is an established suburban neighborhood located in the Bayside area of Virginia Beach near Lake Smith. Characterized by single-family homes, mature tree canopies, and cul-de-sacs, it primarily serves as a peaceful bedroom community for families and military personnel.
- Suburban
- Quiet
- Family-Friendly
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Diamond Lake Estates
Walk score: 22/100 · Bike score: 36/100
There are no municipal bike-share stations or dedicated bike lanes within the subdivision, but neighborhood streets carry low traffic volumes suitable for casual cycling.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are significantly lower than both national and regional benchmarks
- High rate of owner-occupied single-family homes contributing to neighborhood stability
- Quiet, low-traffic residential streets safe for daytime recreation
Cons
- Nearly complete car dependency for daily shopping, dining, and transit
- Occasional opportunistic property crimes such as unlocked vehicle break-ins
- Limited street lighting on some residential interior roads after dark
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is practically non-existent within Diamond Lake Estates, with rare panhandling observed only along major perimeter commercial intersections.
What Diamond Lake Estates is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and safe with residents walking dogs, jogging, and heading out on morning commutes.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Very quiet residential atmosphere with light neighborhood traffic and safe pedestrian conditions.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and safe as families return home, though pedestrians should watch for dimly lit road segments.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Exceptionally quiet with minimal foot traffic; completely peaceful, though visitors should lock parked vehicles.
Transit, parking and getting around
Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) provides bus service along surrounding thoroughfares such as Northampton Boulevard (notably Route 27), but the interior neighborhood requires a car for convenient travel.
Residential street parking is free, abundant, and unrestricted throughout the neighborhood, and virtually all homes feature private driveways.
Things to do in Diamond Lake Estates
- Enjoy fishing, kayaking, and shoreline views at nearby Lake Smith
- Visit Williams Farm Recreation Center and Park for sports courts, a skate park, and indoor fitness
- Tour the historic Thoroughgood House, one of Virginia's oldest surviving brick colonial homes nearby
Local favorites
- Captain George's Seafood Restaurant · Seafood Restaurant · 4.4★ (6800)A legendary regional destination serving extensive fresh seafood buffets and classic coastal dishes.
- Taste · Gourmet Deli & Market · 4.6★ (1150)Upscale local market and cafe known for signature specialty sandwiches, salads, and artisan foods.
- The Bagel Baker · Bagel Shop · 4.6★ (1280)Popular local bakery crafting authentic New York-style boiled and baked bagels and breakfast sandwiches.
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.