Is Fairfax Forest safe?
Vienna, Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Fairfax Forest as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Fairfax Forest
“Go. Fairfax Forest is an exceptionally safe, affluent residential community in Fairfax County with virtually nonexistent violent crime. Visitors will find a tranquil, tree-lined suburban environment where personal safety is among the highest in the nation.”
About the area
Fairfax Forest is an established, picturesque single-family neighborhood nestled between the Town of Vienna and Oakton. It features well-maintained mid-century and custom homes, lush tree canopies, and quiet cul-de-sacs close to major Northern Virginia corridors.
- Quiet Residential
- Affluent Suburb
- Tree-Lined
- Family-Friendly
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Fairfax Forest
Walk score: 28/100 · Bike score: 42/100
While internal roads lack dedicated bike lanes, low traffic speeds make cycling comfortable; the regional Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail is accessible within a short 5-10 minute ride.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Extremely low violent and property crime rates well below state and national averages
- High household incomes exceeding $180,000 and strong homeownership rates
- Tranquil, family-friendly atmosphere with well-maintained residential properties
- Close proximity to the Vienna Metro Station and major commuting routes like I-66
Cons
- Highly car-dependent with almost no commercial businesses directly within the subdivision
- Lack of continuous sidewalks on some residential side streets
- Occasional opportunistic vehicle break-ins typical of affluent suburban cul-de-sacs
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is practically non-existent in Fairfax Forest; any regional social services and support shelters are located farther along major commercial corridors in central Fairfax County.
What Fairfax Forest is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and pleasant with joggers, dog walkers, and light neighborhood school traffic.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Very quiet and safe with occasional delivery vehicles and residents tending to landscaped yards.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and safe for dusk walks, though low street lighting requires a flashlight on some streets.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Silent, dark, and exceptionally safe, with no active nightlife or pedestrian foot traffic.
Transit, parking and getting around
Fairfax Connector runs bus routes along adjacent arterials like Chain Bridge Road and Nutley Street, connecting passengers to the Vienna/Fairfax-GMU Metrorail Station (Orange Line) located about 1.5 to 2 miles south.
Street parking is free, plentiful, and unrestricted throughout the neighborhood's residential roads, with ample private driveway space for residents.
Things to do in Fairfax Forest
- Enjoy a relaxing nature walk along the nearby Accotink Creek and local trail networks
- Spend a family afternoon outdoors at nearby Nottoway Park playing sports or walking the paved loops
- Take a short drive to Maple Avenue in Vienna for local boutique shopping and dining
Local favorites
- Bazin's on Church · American Restaurant · 4.6★ (680)Upscale contemporary American bistro serving seasonal dishes and fine wines in historic Vienna.
- Caboose Brewing Company & Tavern · Brewery / Gastropub · 4.5★ (1150)Popular local craft brewery and tavern located right off the W&OD Trail serving farm-to-table bites.
- Caffe Amouri · Coffee Shop · 4.7★ (820)Artisanal small-batch coffee roaster and community staple offering espresso drinks and pastries.
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.