Is Forest Lakes safe?
Charlottesville, Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Forest Lakes as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Forest Lakes
“Go. Forest Lakes is an exceptionally safe, affluent, and well-maintained master-planned community in northern Albemarle County. It is an ideal suburban environment for families, outdoor recreation on neighborhood trails, and peaceful residential stays.”
About the area
Forest Lakes is a sprawling, picturesque residential community located along the Route 29 corridor just north of Charlottesville. It features serene neighborhood lakes, extensive walking paths, recreation centers, and immediate access to shopping centers like Hollymead Town Center.
- Suburban / Peaceful
- Family-Friendly
- Lakeside Trails
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Forest Lakes
Walk score: 38/100 · Bike score: 45/100
While internal paved multi-use paths provide great recreational biking within the subdivision, dedicated cycling connectivity along Route 29 to Charlottesville proper is sparse and high-speed.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent and property crime rates are among the lowest in the greater Charlottesville metro area.
- Affluent economic profile with high median household incomes and high rates of homeownership.
- Abundant neighborhood amenities including paved recreation paths, community lakes, and sports courts.
- Proximity to Charlottesville Albemarle Airport (CHO) and essential commercial hubs along Route 29.
Cons
- Heavily car-dependent for standard daily errands and dining outside neighborhood strip centers.
- US Route 29 traffic congestion can make entering and exiting the community slow during rush hours.
- Limited cultural attractions or nightlife within the neighborhood boundaries.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is practically non-existent within Forest Lakes residential areas, with occasional individuals asking for assistance limited to high-traffic intersections on external commercial stretches of Route 29.
What Forest Lakes is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with joggers, dog walkers, and school commuters along wide, well-lit suburban lanes.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and safe with light local traffic and residents enjoying the community paths and swimming pools.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet residential atmosphere as families return home and local commercial centers see casual dining traffic.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely quiet and dark with minimal vehicular traffic and negligible safety risks.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is very limited; Charlottesville Area Transit (CAT) does not directly serve the deep residential pockets, though Albemarle County commuter express options and JAUNT paratransit serve the nearby Route 29 corridor.
Parking is abundant and free throughout the neighborhood in private driveways, townhome lots, and commercial plazas, with unrestricted on-street parking permitted on most local residential roads.
Things to do in Forest Lakes
- Stroll or jog around the scenic paved loop trails surrounding the neighborhood lakes.
- Shop and dine at the adjacent Hollymead Town Center plaza.
- Play tennis, pickleball, or basketball at the Forest Lakes North recreation complex.
Local favorites
- Timberwood Grill · American Restaurant · 4.5★ (1150)A popular local tavern offering craft beers, burgers, and upscale pub fare near the south entrance.
- Vinny's Italian Grill & Pizzeria · Italian Restaurant · 4.4★ (680)Casual neighborhood Italian joint serving hearty pastas, calzones, and New York-style pizza.
- Guajiros Miami Eatery (Northern Outpost) · Cuban Restaurant · 4.7★ (320)Beloved local spot serving Cuban coffee, breakfast sandwiches, and savory platters near Route 29.
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.