Is Dove Acres safe?
Chesapeake, Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Dove Acres as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Dove Acres
“Go. Dove Acres is a quiet, established suburban residential community in Chesapeake where violent crime is rare and visitor risk is very low. It is primarily a residential pocket, so standard precautions like locking parked cars overnight are all that are needed.”
About the area
Dove Acres is a peaceful, low-density suburban neighborhood characterized by single-family homes, mature trees, and cul-de-sacs. Situated close to major regional thoroughfares in Chesapeake, it provides easy access to retail hubs while maintaining a calm, residential atmosphere.
- Suburban
- Family-Friendly
- Quiet
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Dove Acres
Walk score: 24/100 · Bike score: 38/100
There are no dedicated municipal bike-share stations in the immediate neighborhood, and cycling is mostly confined to residential streets rather than connected trail networks.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly lower violent crime rates compared to regional and national averages
- High rates of homeownership fostering stable, well-maintained residential streets
- Strong household economic indicators with low local poverty levels
- Peaceful suburban setting with minimal through-traffic
Cons
- Heavily car-dependent with virtually no walkable retail or dining within the subdivision
- Occasional opportunistic property crimes like unlocked vehicle break-ins
- Limited public transit connectivity to major Hampton Roads hubs
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in this quiet residential subdivision.
What Dove Acres is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and safe, with residents walking dogs or commuting to work along quiet residential streets.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and family-oriented, with school buses and light neighborhood traffic moving through the area.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet residential winding down with minimal street activity and safe conditions for walking.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very dark and tranquil; while safe from street crime, low foot traffic and lack of sidewalks on some roads make driving preferable.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit in this area is limited; Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) operates regional bus lines along nearby primary corridors, but there is no direct rail or BRT service within walking distance.
Parking is exceptionally easy, with ample free street parking throughout the neighborhood alongside private residential driveways.
Things to do in Dove Acres
- Explore nature trails and sports fields at nearby Western Branch Park
- Shop and dine along the nearby Portsmouth Boulevard and Western Branch commercial corridors
- Take a short drive to the Elizabeth River Boat Ramp for paddle sports and waterfront views
Local favorites
- Cutlass Grille · Caribbean Restaurant · 4.6★ (1150)Popular local eatery serving authentic Jamaican jerk meats, oxtail, and southern BBQ sides.
- The Egg Bistro · Breakfast & Brunch Restaurant · 4.5★ (1820)Casual, vibrant brunch destination famous for creative Benedicts and craft mimosas.
- Big Woody's Bar & Grill · Bar & Grill · 4.2★ (940)Relaxed neighborhood sports bar with patio seating, pub favorites, and live entertainment.
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.