Is Greenwood Forest safe?
Lanham, Maryland · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Greenwood Forest as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on Greenwood Forest
“Go with care. Greenwood Forest is a peaceful, established suburban neighborhood that presents minimal safety concerns for everyday visitors. While the residential core is quiet and stable, visitors should exercise standard situational awareness regarding property and vehicle theft, especially near surrounding commercial arteries.”
About the area
Greenwood Forest is a leafy residential subdivision nestled in Lanham, Maryland, characterized by single-family homes, mature trees, and cul-de-sacs. It serves primarily as a tranquil commuter haven with convenient roadway access to Washington, D.C., Annapolis, and northern Prince George's County.
- Suburban / Quiet
- Car-Dependent
- Tree-Lined
- Family-Friendly
Walking and biking in Greenwood Forest
Walk score: 32/100 · Bike score: 38/100
There are no bike-share docking stations in the subdivision, and local streets lack dedicated bike lanes, though nearby trail networks such as the WB&A Trail can be accessed via short road connections.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Stable residential enclave with high rates of owner-occupied single-family homes
- Significantly lower violent crime rates compared to inner-beltway commercial corridors
- Solid middle-income economic base with high rates of health insurance and vehicle access
Cons
- Susceptible to periodic suburban property offenses such as vehicle break-ins and package theft
- Adjacent commercial strips along Annapolis Road experience higher regional traffic and incident rates
- Lacks extensive street lighting and pedestrian infrastructure on border connector roads
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence within the residential streets of Greenwood Forest. Occasional panhandling is primarily restricted to commercial shopping plazas along Route 450.
What Greenwood Forest is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Pleasant and quiet as residents start their daily commutes and walk dogs through the subdivision.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Very low foot traffic with a calm, typical suburban atmosphere.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Streets settle down quickly; the area remains peaceful, though street lighting varies across blocks.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely low pedestrian activity; walking after midnight is uncommon and best replaced with vehicular travel.
Transit, parking and getting around
Transit service is operated by WMATA Metrobus (routes F14, B27) and Prince George's County TheBus along surrounding arterials. The New Carrollton Metro Station (Orange Line, MARC, and Amtrak) is roughly 2.5 miles southwest.
Street parking in the residential neighborhood is free, unmetered, and easy to find. Strip malls and business centers nearby provide free surface parking lots.
Things to do in Greenwood Forest
- Relax and play sports at the nearby Lanham Forest Recreation Center and neighborhood park grounds
- Visit the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Visitor Center located just a short drive north in Greenbelt
- Sample diverse international dining options along the Annapolis Road and Lanham shopping corridors
Local favorites
- Sardi's Pollo A La Brasa · Peruvian Restaurant · 4.4★ (2650)Renowned local staple serving signature charcoal-broiled Peruvian rotisserie chicken and hearty sides.
- Taqueria Tres Reyes · Mexican Restaurant · 4.5★ (560)Casual, authentic eatery offering freshly prepared street tacos, tortas, and traditional Mexican fare.
- Shortcake Bakery · Bakery · 4.7★ (190)Charming local bakery offering handmade artisanal pastries, cookies, and custom specialty cakes.
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.