Is East Nashville North North West safe?
Nashville, Tennessee · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates East Nashville North North West as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on East Nashville North North West
“Go with care. While residential pockets have seen revitalization with renovated historic homes and emerging neighborhood spots, commercial corridors nearby experience elevated property and petty crime. Visitors should remain aware of their surroundings, particularly along major thoroughfares after dark.”
Recent Metro Nashville police initiatives continue to target property theft, vehicle break-ins, and street-level crime along the nearby Dickerson Pike and Trinity Lane transit corridors.
About the area
East Nashville North North West encompasses northern sections of East Nashville and Highland Heights transitioning toward the Dickerson Pike corridor. It features a blend of historic craftsmans, mid-century homes, and new infill housing alongside industrial and commercial fringes. The vibe is distinctively creative and evolving, though noticeably rougher in spots than the core Five Points district to the south.
- Up-and-Coming
- Creative / Artsy
- Mixed Residential
- Gritty Edges
Walking and biking in East Nashville North North West
Walk score: 52/100 · Bike score: 48/100
B-Cycle stations are scarce in this specific northern pocket, but cyclists can connect south via local neighborhood bikeways toward Shelby Bottoms Greenway and the Cumberland River paths.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Rapidly improving housing stock with substantial private investment and renovation
- Close proximity to downtown Nashville and core East Nashville culinary hubs
- Active neighborhood associations promoting community green spaces and local arts
- Relatively high internet connectivity and improving civic infrastructure
Cons
- Violent and property crime rates remain noticeably higher than Metro Nashville suburban averages
- Pockets of elevated poverty and income disparity, especially toward commercial corridors
- Inconsistent street lighting and broken sidewalk networks on secondary residential roads
- Frequent reports of vehicle break-ins and package theft
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is moderately present, primarily clustered along the Dickerson Pike commercial corridor and near transit stops, while interior residential blocks see minimal encampments.
What East Nashville North North West is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and quiet, with joggers, dog walkers, and residents heading to local coffee spots.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Active with normal residential traffic and delivery vehicles, generally safe for walking along main residential streets.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Dining and bar destinations draw crowds, but side streets grow dim; stay aware on foot.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Foot traffic drops off significantly; walking alone is not recommended, particularly near commercial corridors or unlit alleys.
Transit, parking and getting around
WeGo Public Transit serves the area with primary bus routes including Route 23 (Dickerson Pike) and Route 14 (Whites Creek), providing direct connections to the WeGo Central hub in downtown Nashville.
Street parking is predominantly free and readily available along residential streets, while businesses typically offer small on-site surface lots with no metered fees.
Things to do in East Nashville North North West
- Grab specialty coffee and pastries at neighborhood gathering spots along Douglas Avenue
- Explore local vintage clothing and vinyl record stores scattered throughout the area
- Take a short drive to Tom Joy Park or Cleveland Park for green open spaces and community sports
Local favorites
- Retrograde Coffee · Coffee Shop · 4.7★ (460)A popular local haunt serving artisanal espresso, breakfast sandwiches, and baked treats with a relaxed neighborhood patio.
- Folk · Italian Restaurant · 4.6★ (720)A chic industrial-style eatery known for wood-fired pizzas, small plates, and natural wines just along the neighborhood fringe.
- The Fox Bar & Cocktail Club · Cocktail Bar · 4.8★ (850)An intimate, velvet-draped speakeasy serving inventive craft cocktails and vegan-friendly charcuterie.
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.