Is Fairway safe?
Silver Spring, Maryland · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Fairway as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Fairway
“Go. Fairway is a peaceful, established suburban neighborhood in Silver Spring that offers a very safe and quiet environment for visitors. Violent crime is rare, and the residential streets are well-maintained by long-term homeowners. Standard precautions against occasional opportunistic car break-ins are sufficient.”
About the area
Fairway is a leafy, residential enclave in Silver Spring characterized by mid-century single-family homes, manicured lawns, and mature trees. It offers quick access to the Northwest Branch trail systems and major regional commuter routes while remaining insulated from commercial congestion.
- Quiet Residential
- Tree-Lined
- Family-Friendly
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Fairway
Walk score: 38/100 · Bike score: 42/100
While dedicated on-street bike lanes are sparse on main roads, the neighborhood easily connects to the paved multi-use Northwest Branch Stream Valley Trail network.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly lower violent and property crime rates compared to national and regional urban averages
- High homeownership rate and well-kept residential properties indicating neighborhood stability
- Direct proximity to expansive green spaces and the Northwest Branch Stream Valley Park trails
- Strong median household incomes well above the national median with low poverty rates
Cons
- Suburban layout makes daily errands car-dependent without a direct commercial core
- Occasional property crimes such as unlocked vehicle break-ins and parcel theft
- Limited street lighting along some interior residential cul-de-sacs and wooded edges
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in Fairway; unhoused individuals and support services are primarily concentrated around downtown Silver Spring transit centers several miles south.
What Fairway is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with residents walking dogs, jogging, and commuting to work in broad daylight.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Very quiet and safe with light local traffic and occasional delivery vehicles.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm residential atmosphere with families outdoors and neighbors returning home.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely low foot traffic and dark, quiet streets where standard suburban awareness is recommended.
Transit, parking and getting around
Montgomery County Ride On buses and WMATA Metrobus routes run along adjacent thoroughfares like US-29 (Colesville Rd); the nearest Metrorail station is Silver Spring (Red Line), accessible in roughly 10-15 minutes by bus or car.
Street parking is free, abundant, and unrestricted along most residential streets, with ample private driveway space throughout the community.
Things to do in Fairway
- Hike or jog along the scenic wooded paths of the Northwest Branch Trail
- Enjoy a relaxed family picnic and playground visit at nearby Northwest Branch Recreational Park
- Explore local independent dining and bakeries in adjacent neighborhood shopping centers along Colesville Road
Local favorites
- Woodmoor Pastry Shop · Bakery · 4.6★ (780)Beloved long-standing neighborhood bakery offering classic pastries, custom cakes, and fresh breads.
- The 4 Corners Diner · Diner · 4.4★ (620)Down-to-earth local eatery serving classic American breakfast favorites and hearty lunch fare.
- Santucci's Deli · Deli · 4.5★ (510)Neighborhood Italian-style deli known for generous overstuffed subs, sandwiches, and pantry goods.
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.