Is East Hill safe?
Nashville, Tennessee · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates East Hill as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on East Hill
“Go with care. East Hill is a rapidly gentrifying pocket of East Nashville that is generally pleasant for visitors exploring local dining and residential architecture during the day. As with many transitional urban neighborhoods, property theft and opportunistic crime occur, so visitors should stay aware of their surroundings after dark and secure vehicle belongings.”
About the area
East Hill is an evolving residential neighborhood in East Nashville featuring a mix of historic bungalows and sleek modern infill housing. Situated just minutes from downtown Nashville, it offers easy proximity to vibrant culinary scenes, indie coffee shops, and artistic hubs while maintaining a neighborhood feel.
- Transitional
- Historic / Tree-Lined
- Residential
- Up-and-Coming
Walking and biking in East Hill
Walk score: 52/100 · Bike score: 48/100
Nashville BCycle stations are available in surrounding East Nashville neighborhoods, and cyclists have access to the Shelby Bottoms Greenway network roughly 2 miles to the southeast.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Substantial residential reinvestment and rising household incomes contributing to renovated streets
- Close proximity to East Nashville's renowned dining, bar, and live music scene
- Active neighborhood community with increasing pedestrian infrastructure improvements
Cons
- Elevated rates of opportunistic property crimes, particularly vehicle break-ins and package theft
- Higher risk of localized disturbance near adjacent arterial corridors after dark
- Inconsistent sidewalk connectivity on some interior residential streets
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal within the interior residential blocks of East Hill, but individuals experiencing homelessness and occasional encampments can be observed along nearby commercial arteries like Dickerson Pike and Gallatin Pike.
What East Hill is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with dog walkers, joggers, and residents heading out for coffee.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Quiet residential feel with occasional service and construction traffic; generally very safe.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Lively as residents return and head out toward nearby restaurants, though side streets become dimly lit.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet but warrants heightened situational awareness; avoid poorly lit alleys and keep vehicles locked.
Transit, parking and getting around
WeGo Public Transit operates local bus routes (notably Route 14 on Whites Creek Pike and Route 56/26 on nearby Gallatin and Dickerson corridors), offering connections to the central WeGo Central transit station downtown, roughly 3 miles away.
Free on-street parking is widely available along residential streets, with free customer parking lots available at most neighborhood retail and dining locations.
Things to do in East Hill
- Explore the distinct architectural mix of restored mid-century cottages and modern builds
- Sample creative artisan beers and seasonal fare at nearby East Nashville taprooms
- Take a short drive to explore the nearby shops, vintage boutiques, and record stores in Five Points
Local favorites
- Redheaded Stranger · Tex-Mex Restaurant · 4.7★ (1250)Celebrated neighborhood eatery known for creative tacos, fresh hatch chile burgers, and homemade flour tortillas.
- Retrograde Coffee · Coffee Shop · 4.6★ (680)Popular local cafe serving house-roasted espresso, specialty teas, and scratch-made baked goods.
- Southern Grist Brewing Company · Brewery & Taproom · 4.7★ (1100)Innovative craft brewery featuring experimental sours, IPAs, and an elevated taproom menu.
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.