Is Grooms safe?
Austin, Texas · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Grooms as “Go”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Grooms
“Go. Grooms is a quiet, leafy residential enclave nestled between North University and Hyde Park that offers a safe and charming Central Austin experience. Violent crime is rare, though standard property crime such as vehicle break-ins and bicycle theft occurs occasionally. Visiting or walking the neighborhood during the day and evening is comfortable and safe.”
About the area
Grooms is an intimate, shaded residential pocket situated just north of the University of Texas campus between North University and historic Hyde Park. Defined by historic bungalows, vintage duplexes, and mature canopy trees, it provides a relaxed neighborhood atmosphere within easy reach of central city amenities.
- Historic / Tree-Lined
- Academic Adjacent
- Quiet Residential
- Very Bikeable
Walking and biking in Grooms
Walk score: 81/100 · Bike score: 92/100
Exceptional bikeability with dedicated bike lanes along Speedway and Duval Street, connecting seamlessly into the UT campus bike network and the nearby Shoal Creek Greenbelt trail.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly lower violent crime rate than Austin's citywide average
- Well-maintained historic housing stock with high educational attainment and strong community stability
- Immediate access to tree-shaded neighborhood amenities, parks, and local eateries
- High pedestrian and cyclist presence creating continuous natural neighborhood surveillance
Cons
- Susceptible to opportunistic property crimes like bicycle theft and car break-ins typical of university-adjacent areas
- Limited commercial activity directly within the residential micro-pocket itself
- Residential street parking can be tight due to student and commuter parking demand
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal within the interior residential blocks of Grooms, with occasional individuals primarily seen along the busier commercial stretches of Guadalupe Street to the west.
What Grooms is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with dog walkers, joggers, and university students commuting by bike or on foot.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Quiet and pleasant with low vehicular traffic under dense tree cover.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Safe and inviting as residents walk to nearby cafes and neighborhood bistros along Duval.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Calm and low-key, though standard precautions apply for parking security and poorly lit side streets.
Transit, parking and getting around
CapMetro serves the area via regular bus routes on Speedway (Route 22) and nearby Guadalupe Street (CapMetro Rapid 801 and 803), providing fast connections to Downtown and UT Austin.
Most parking is curbside street parking, which is generally free but subject to residential permit restrictions on select blocks during peak school hours.
Things to do in Grooms
- Stroll the shaded streets to admire preserved early 20th-century Craftsman architecture
- Walk over to the historic Elisabet Ney Museum and grounds located just blocks away
- Explore the independent cafes and classic neighborhood markets along Duval and 43rd Streets
Local favorites
- Quack's 43rd Street Bakery · Bakery / Cafe · 4.6★ (2200)A longtime neighborhood institution serving scratch-made pastries, pies, and espresso.
- Hyde Park Bar & Grill · American Restaurant · 4.4★ (1850)Charming local classic known for comfort food, buttermilk-battered fries, and a laid-back patio.
- Avenue B Grocery & Market · Deli / Historic Grocer · 4.7★ (360)Austin's oldest continually operating grocery store, serving custom sandwiches on a shady porch.
Neighborhoods near Grooms
Common questions about Grooms
Is Grooms safe to walk at night?
Generally yes — use the same awareness you would anywhere after dark.
Is Grooms a good place to live?
On safety, Grooms scores 82/100 — safer than most of the areas we score, which is a good start for anyone looking to live here.
How walkable is Grooms?
Walk score 81/100 and bike score 92/100. Most errands can be done on foot.
Which areas near Grooms are safer?
The Triangle (86), Eastwoods (84) score higher nearby.
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