Is Highland Crest safe?
Hoover, Alabama · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Highland Crest as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Highland Crest
“Go. Highland Crest in Hoover is an exceptionally safe, quiet, and well-maintained suburban residential neighborhood. Visitors will find virtually no violent crime risks and can explore the area with standard peace of mind.”
About the area
Highland Crest is a tranquil residential neighborhood nestled in the southern Birmingham suburb of Hoover, Alabama. It is characterized by curving suburban streets, lush mature trees, and well-kept single-family homes. The area serves primarily as a peaceful bedroom community with quick access to Hoover's retail corridors and outdoor parks.
- Suburban / Quiet
- Family-Friendly
- Car-Dependent
- Tree-Lined
Walking and biking in Highland Crest
Walk score: 18/100 · Bike score: 22/100
There is no local bike-share system, and riding on arterial roads can be challenging due to steep hills and lack of dedicated bike lanes, though nearby Moss Rock Preserve offers extensive trail riding.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are near zero and well below regional and national averages
- High median household incomes and very low poverty rates underpin strong community stability
- Quiet, low-traffic residential streets ideal for peaceful neighborhood walks
- Quick driving access to the I-459 corridor, shopping centers, and medical facilities
Cons
- Extremely car-dependent with almost no commercial businesses within walking distance
- Lack of continuous sidewalks on some connecting roadways
- Hilly topography and narrow winding roads can limit pedestrian sightlines
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in Highland Crest; there are no encampments, panhandling, or nearby homeless shelter facilities in this strictly residential neighborhood.
What Highland Crest is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and serene, filled with residents walking dogs and joggers taking advantage of low morning traffic.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Quiet and residential, with occasional delivery vehicles and school buses circulating safely.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and family-oriented, feeling completely safe for evening strolls under residential streetlights.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely dark and sleepy with virtually zero foot traffic; safety risks remain minimal.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is virtually nonexistent in this residential enclave; the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority (MAX Transit) operates limited routes primarily in Birmingham and northern Hoover corridors, making a personal vehicle essential.
Parking is simple and completely free, with abundant private driveways and ample unrestricted on-street parking for visitors along residential roadways.
Things to do in Highland Crest
- Take a nature hike or explore the historic iron mining sites at nearby Moss Rock Preserve
- Browse local shops and enjoy seasonal community events at the Ross Bridge Village Center
- Visit the Hoover Met Complex for sports tournaments, events, and walking paths
Local favorites
- The Casual Pint of Ross Bridge · Pub / Taphouse · 4.6★ (320)Neighborhood gathering spot serving craft beer, pub fare, and casual comfort food nearby.
- Vecchia Pizzeria & Mercato · Italian Restaurant · 4.5★ (1150)Authentic wood-fired Neapolitan pizza and Italian specialties in a scenic outdoor patio setting.
- Trak Shak · Running Apparel & Shoes · 4.8★ (210)Local running specialty shop offering expert shoe fittings, gear, and community run meetups.
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.