Is Greencastle Lakes safe?
Burtonsville, Maryland · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Greencastle Lakes as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Greencastle Lakes
“Go. Greencastle Lakes is a quiet, settled suburban community in Montgomery County centered around neighborhood lakes and walking paths. Visitors will experience a calm and largely safe environment with low rates of violent crime, needing only basic awareness regarding vehicle security.”
About the area
Greencastle Lakes is a planned residential enclave in Burtonsville, Maryland, featuring a mix of townhouses and single-family homes nestled around scenic ponds. It is primarily a commuter community offering tranquil suburban living near the US-29 corridor.
- Suburban Residential
- Lakeside Paths
- Family-Friendly
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Greencastle Lakes
Walk score: 26/100 · Bike score: 32/100
There are no Capital Bikeshare docks in the immediate community, but road-ready cyclists can reach the extensive multi-use trail network at Fairland Regional Park just east of the development.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Low violent crime rates well below national and regional averages
- Solid economic base with median household incomes exceeding $100,000 and high owner-occupancy
- Pleasant, well-maintained community walking paths and landscaped water features
Cons
- Susceptible to occasional suburban property crimes such as vehicle break-ins and package theft
- Car-dependent design with no commercial or dining options within the neighborhood interior
- Perimeter roads lack protected pedestrian infrastructure
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence within Greencastle Lakes. Occasional panhandling or unhoused individuals are largely confined to major commercial shopping plazas along Route 29.
What Greencastle Lakes is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with residents walking dogs, jogging around the lake, and heading out on commutes.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Very quiet and orderly with minimal vehicle and pedestrian movement throughout residential courts.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and residential with families walking along neighborhood paths; feels very secure.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Dark and quiet with little activity; safely walkable though common-sense vigilance against vehicle tampering applies.
Transit, parking and getting around
Montgomery County Ride On bus routes (such as Route 21) serve the perimeter along Greencastle Road, and Flash BRT operates nearby along US-29 connecting to the Silver Spring Metro Station (Red Line) about 9 miles south.
Parking is readily available across dedicated subdivision lots, assigned townhouse spaces, and unmetered residential street parking.
Things to do in Greencastle Lakes
- Walk or jog along the paved perimeter path surrounding the Greencastle Lakes community pond
- Explore the extensive hiking, mountain biking, and sports facilities at nearby Fairland Regional Park
- Explore local dining and shopping at Burtonsville Crossing and Burtonsville Town Square
Local favorites
- Cuba de Ayer · Cuban Restaurant · 4.6★ (1150)Celebrated neighborhood dining spot serving authentic ropa vieja, plantains, and traditional Cuban classics.
- Seibel's Restaurant & Upstairs Lounge · American Restaurant · 4.4★ (1320)Longtime family-owned staple known for homestyle breakfasts, comfort foods, and house-made ice cream.
- The Greene Turtle Sports Bar & Grille · Sports Bar · 4.1★ (890)Casual neighborhood sports bar serving burgers, wings, and draft beer in a relaxed atmosphere.
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.