Is Etheridge Lakes safe?
Chesapeake, Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Etheridge Lakes as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Etheridge Lakes
“Go. Etheridge Lakes is an exceptionally safe, quiet, and affluent master-planned residential community in Chesapeake. While it lacks internal commercial or tourist attractions, visitors can walk or stay in the neighborhood with complete peace of mind.”
About the area
Etheridge Lakes is a scenic, master-planned suburban community centered around multiple interconnected lakes in the Great Bridge area of Chesapeake. Characterized by well-manicured single-family homes and peaceful cul-de-sacs, it provides a tranquil suburban lifestyle surrounded by waterways.
- Family-Friendly
- Quiet Residential
- Waterfront Views
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Etheridge Lakes
Walk score: 12/100 · Bike score: 32/100
There are no municipal bike-share stations or dedicated bike lanes, but low-speed residential streets provide safe cycling within the community.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime is practically nonexistent, and property crime rates are among the lowest in the region
- High median household incomes well over $120,000 paired with near-total homeownership rates
- Pristine, low-traffic neighborhood streets that are secure for outdoor walking and jogging
Cons
- Virtually no commercial services, retail, or dining within walking distance inside the neighborhood
- Heavy reliance on private vehicles to access everyday errands, healthcare, and dining
- Occasional isolated incidents of unlocked vehicle rifling, typical of quiet suburbs
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a factor in Etheridge Lakes due to its purely residential setting and lack of commercial hubs or major transit corridors.
What Etheridge Lakes is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Crisp, quiet, and very safe, with residents walking dogs and joggers navigating the neighborhood loops.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and peaceful with minimal local traffic and children playing outside in front yards.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Well-lit and relaxing as residents return home and take evening strolls around the lakes.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Exceptionally quiet, dark, and still, with zero street-level safety concerns.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is provided by Hampton Roads Transit (HRT), but routes do not penetrate the Etheridge Lakes subdivision, making personal vehicles essential.
Parking is completely hassle-free with spacious private driveways and ample, free on-street parking along residential streets.
Things to do in Etheridge Lakes
- Walk or jog along the scenic neighborhood loops and enjoy the waterfront lake views
- Visit the nearby Chesapeake Arboretum to explore miles of forested walking trails and themed gardens
- Watch boat traffic and picnic along the historic Intracoastal Waterway at Great Bridge Lock Park
Local favorites
- The Cutting Edge Cafe · Cafe · 4.8★ (480)Beloved local lunch spot on Cedar Road serving creative sandwiches, salads, and scratch-made baked treats.
- Lockside Bar & Grill · Seafood Restaurant · 4.4★ (750)Waterfront eatery near the Great Bridge lock serving fresh coastal seafood, burgers, and craft beers.
- Bergey's Breadbasket · Bakery · 4.7★ (1100)Family-run country bakery offering freshly baked pies, deli sandwiches, and farm-fresh ice cream.
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.