Is East Six Forks safe?
Raleigh, North Carolina · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates East Six Forks as “Go”.
Gogo's take on East Six Forks
“Go. East Six Forks is a safe, predominantly residential North Raleigh enclave characterized by mature suburban subdivisions, community shopping centers, and quiet parks. Violent crime is rare, making the area very secure for visitors, though basic precautions against opportunistic car break-ins in commercial parking lots remain advisable.”
About the area
East Six Forks encompasses a leafy suburban stretch of North Raleigh situated east of Six Forks Road and north of the I-440 beltline. It offers a mix of established single-family neighborhoods, apartment complexes, and convenient strip centers housing diverse local eateries and retail.
- Suburban / Leafy
- Family-Friendly
- Car-Dependent
- Quiet
Walking and biking in East Six Forks
Walk score: 38/100 · Bike score: 42/100
While major thoroughfares lack dedicated protected bike lanes, the neighborhood offers access to segments of the Capital Area Greenway System; public bike-share docking stations are not present in this area.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are consistently well below both state and national averages
- High household incomes and solid homeownership maintain well-kept residential streets
- Abundant tree canopy, neighborhood parks, and close proximity to Shelley Lake Park and local greenways
Cons
- Heavily car-dependent layout with sparse sidewalks along major connector roads
- Occasional property crimes such as vehicle break-ins in busy shopping plazas and apartment parking areas
- Rush-hour traffic congestion along Six Forks Road, Millbrook Road, and Atlantic Avenue
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in East Six Forks, with only rare panhandling occasionally observed at major highway exit intersections near the I-440 corridor.
What East Six Forks is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and safe with joggers, dog walkers, and commuters navigating quiet subdivision roads.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Active and calm around local retail plazas and parks with very low safety concerns.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet residential atmosphere where neighborhood walking remains very safe under standard street lighting.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very low foot traffic and minimal street activity; exceptionally calm with low risk of street crime.
Transit, parking and getting around
GoRaleigh provides local bus service along primary arterials like Route 8 (Six Forks) and Route 2 (Falls of Neuse), but service frequency is limited and Raleigh lacks passenger rail in this district.
Parking is abundant and entirely free throughout the neighborhood, with large surface lots at all commercial centers and ample street parking in residential subdivisions.
Things to do in East Six Forks
- Stroll the paved lakeside loop and watch wildlife at nearby Shelley Lake Park
- Browse local boutiques and dining spots along the Six Forks and Millbrook retail corridors
- Explore the leafy multi-use paths connecting into Raleigh's Capital Area Greenway System
Local favorites
- Chubby's Tacos · Mexican Restaurant · 4.3★ (1150)Popular counter-serve spot serving creative tacos, burritos, and an extensive fresh salsa bar.
- Snoopy's Hot Dogs & More · Fast Food Restaurant · 4.4★ (820)Classic Raleigh staple known for Southern-style hot dogs, burgers, and crinkle-cut fries.
- Sola Coffee Cafe · Coffee Shop & Cafe · 4.7★ (1280)Community hub offering artisan espresso drinks, made-to-order mini donuts, and light cafe fare.
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.