Is Goodacre Knolls safe?
Silver Spring, Maryland · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Goodacre Knolls as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on Goodacre Knolls
“Go. Goodacre Knolls is a quiet, leafy residential enclave in Silver Spring that is very safe for visitors and residents alike. While it borders busier commercial arteries along University Boulevard where typical urban property crime occurs, the interior neighborhood streets are peaceful and low-risk.”
About the area
Goodacre Knolls is an established suburban neighborhood of mid-century single-family homes bordered by parkland and major thoroughfares in Montgomery County. Visitors usually come for its direct access to the Northwest Branch Trail system or to stay in quiet residential rentals close to the Washington, D.C., border.
- Quiet Residential
- Leafy Suburb
- Family-Friendly
- Park-Adjacent
Walking and biking in Goodacre Knolls
Walk score: 48/100 · Bike score: 54/100
Capital Bikeshare docks are available along major nearby intersections, and the neighborhood provides direct access to the paved Northwest Branch Trail.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Low rate of violent crime compared to broader regional metropolitan averages
- Direct neighborhood access to extensive green space along the Northwest Branch Stream Valley
- High rate of homeownership and well-tended residential properties
Cons
- Occasional opportunistic vehicle break-ins along street parking corridors
- Spillover traffic and pedestrian safety concerns along bordering University Boulevard East
- Limited commercial amenities within immediate interior residential walking distance
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence within the interior residential blocks of Goodacre Knolls, though occasional panhandling occurs near major commercial intersections on University Boulevard.
What Goodacre Knolls is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with dog walkers, joggers heading to the park trails, and residents commuting.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and quiet suburban vibe with light neighborhood residential traffic.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet residential winding-down period; well-lit in parts and generally very safe for an evening walk.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Subdued and dark; pedestrian traffic is near zero, and normal basic awareness is sufficient.
Transit, parking and getting around
Montgomery County Ride On buses (such as Routes 15 and 16) run along Piney Branch Road and University Boulevard, connecting to the Silver Spring Metro Station (Red Line) and the Takoma/Fort Totten hubs.
Street parking throughout the interior residential streets is free, plentiful, and generally does not require permits, though driveway parking is standard for residents.
Things to do in Goodacre Knolls
- Hike, jog, or birdwatch along the scenic Northwest Branch Trail system.
- Explore the community playgrounds and sports facilities at nearby Long Branch Local Park.
- Sample diverse international cuisine and Salvadoran pupusas along the nearby Piney Branch and University Boulevard corridors.
Local favorites
- El Golfo Restaurant · Latin American Restaurant · 4.4★ (1250)Vibrant neighborhood staple serving traditional Mexican and Central American dishes with live music events.
- Woodmoor Pastry Shop · Bakery · 4.6★ (680)Longstanding local bakery known for fresh custom cakes, classic donuts, and traditional pastries.
- Mandalay Restaurant & Cafe · Burmese Restaurant · 4.6★ (1150)Acclaimed regional dining destination offering authentic Burmese curries, noodle dishes, and tea leaf salads.
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.