Is Gatewood Park safe?
Virginia Beach, Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Gatewood Park as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Gatewood Park
“Go. Gatewood Park is a quiet, well-maintained residential community in Virginia Beach that is very safe for residents and visitors. While it is primarily a residential suburb with few tourist amenities within its boundaries, violent crime is rare and the neighborhood provides a secure environment.”
About the area
Gatewood Park is an established mid-century suburban neighborhood characterized by single-story ranch homes, manicured lawns, and mature trees. It offers a tranquil residential setting situated just minutes from the major commercial amenities of Virginia Beach Boulevard and Town Center.
- Suburban & Quiet
- Family-Friendly
- Tree-Lined
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Gatewood Park
Walk score: 38/100 · Bike score: 46/100
There are no dedicated protected bike lanes within the neighborhood, but wide, low-speed residential streets provide comfortable neighborhood riding.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are significantly below both state and national averages.
- High rate of owner-occupied single-family homes contributes to well-kept properties and community stability.
- Convenient driving access to regional shopping, dining, and Interstate 264.
Cons
- Car break-ins and package theft occur occasionally, typical of suburban areas.
- Inconsistent sidewalk infrastructure makes pedestrian travel along some interior streets less convenient.
- Completely car-dependent for groceries, dining, and daily services.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence within Gatewood Park's residential core, though panhandling may occasionally be observed near commercial shopping strips along Virginia Beach Boulevard.
What Gatewood Park is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Crisp and quiet with residents walking dogs and heading out for morning commutes.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and safe with minimal vehicle traffic through the residential streets.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Peaceful as neighbors return home, though some streets have limited ambient lighting.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very quiet and secure, with activity limited to occasional local vehicular traffic.
Transit, parking and getting around
Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) operates bus routes along Virginia Beach Boulevard (Route 20), but the interior of Gatewood Park has no direct transit stops.
Street parking is free and widely available on residential roadways, with ample private driveway space for residents and guests.
Things to do in Gatewood Park
- Take a peaceful stroll or run along the neighborhood's low-traffic residential loops.
- Spend an afternoon flying kites or walking the lake trails at nearby Mount Trashmore Park.
- Explore shopping, dining, and entertainment just a short drive away at Town Center of Virginia Beach.
Local favorites
- Judy's Sichuan Cuisine · Sichuan Restaurant · 4.5★ (1420)Renowned local dining spot serving authentic, spicy Sichuan dishes and handmade dumplings nearby.
- Chocollatte's · Bakery & Coffee · 4.8★ (680)Popular local cafe famous for gourmet fudge, rich espresso drinks, and fresh pastries.
- Baladi Mediterranean Cafe · Mediterranean Restaurant · 4.7★ (810)Cozy, eco-conscious eatery preparing scratch-made falafel, shawarma, and fresh pita bread.
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.