Is Forestdale safe?
Auburn, Alabama · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Forestdale as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Forestdale
“Go. Forestdale is a quiet, well-established residential enclave in Auburn that offers a very safe and tranquil environment for visitors and residents alike. Violent crime is rare, and the neighborhood benefits from the city's strong municipal services and active community presence.”
About the area
Forestdale is a peaceful suburban neighborhood characterized by mature pine and hardwood trees, mid-century to modern single-family homes, and spacious yards. Located just northwest of Auburn University's central campus, it provides a relaxed neighborhood setting while remaining minutes away from university amenities and dining corridors.
- Quiet Residential
- Suburban
- Family-Friendly
- Tree-Lined
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Forestdale
Walk score: 22/100 · Bike score: 38/100
While Forestdale has low-traffic streets suitable for casual cycling, dedicated bike lanes are limited until reaching major campus corridors or the Auburn city multi-use paths.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Very low rates of violent and property crime compared to national and state averages
- High rates of owner-occupied housing and well-kept residential properties
- Close driving proximity to Auburn University, Chewacla State Park, and downtown Auburn
- Stable suburban demographics with reliable municipal infrastructure and emergency response
Cons
- Car-dependent layout with virtually no commercial venues located within the neighborhood boundaries
- Lack of continuous sidewalk coverage on some interior residential streets
- Occasional vehicle break-ins typical of university-adjacent residential areas when cars are left unlocked
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is practically non-existent in Forestdale, as support services and shelters are located in broader regional hubs outside this residential area.
What Forestdale is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and pleasant, with residents walking dogs and low vehicular traffic on residential streets.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and safe, with standard suburban traffic as residents and school buses commute.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet and dark with low ambient street noise, feeling exceptionally safe for evening strolls.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely low activity with minimal foot or vehicle traffic; overall very safe, though standard awareness is advised due to sparse lighting.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is extremely limited in this residential pocket; Tiger Transit serves university students along major campus arteries nearby, while Lee-Russell Public Transit (LRPT) offers on-demand, dial-a-ride service with advance notice.
Driveway and private residential parking dominate the area; free, unrestricted street parking is generally readily available along neighborhood roads.
Things to do in Forestdale
- Take a quiet morning stroll or jog under the mature tree canopy throughout the residential streets
- Visit nearby Kiesel Park to walk the nature trails, visit the dog park, and see the historic Nunn-Winston House
- Head a short drive south to the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art on South College Street
Local favorites
- Lucy's · Modern American Restaurant · 4.6★ (1250)A chic, airy neighborhood eatery offering locally sourced seasonal dishes, craft cocktails, and brunch.
- Bow & Arrow · Barbecue Restaurant · 4.5★ (1620)Acclaimed chef-driven spot blending Texas barbecue traditions with classic Southern sides.
- The Hound · American Gastropub · 4.6★ (2300)Rustic-refined downtown restaurant serving bacon-centric Southern classics and an extensive bourbon selection.
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.