Is Highland Lakes safe?
Northport, Alabama · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Highland Lakes as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Highland Lakes
“Go. Highland Lakes is a peaceful, well-maintained master-planned suburban community in Northport with exceptionally low violent crime rates. Visitors visiting residents or seeking quiet residential surroundings will find it very safe at all times of day.”
About the area
Highland Lakes is a picturesque suburban neighborhood nestled around scenic community lakes in northern Northport, Alabama. Characterized by manicured lawns, modern single-family brick homes, and quiet cul-de-sacs, it caters primarily to families and professionals commuting to the University of Alabama or downtown Tuscaloosa.
- Suburban
- Family-Friendly
- Lakeside
- Car-Dependent
- Quiet
Walking and biking in Highland Lakes
Walk score: 12/100 · Bike score: 18/100
There is no bike-share program or direct connection to Tuscaloosa's Riverwalk, but the internal neighborhood loops offer safe, low-speed recreational cycling.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Substantially lower violent and property crime rates compared to state and national medians
- High median household income and high homeownership rate above 85%
- Well-maintained private neighborhood lakes, sidewalks, and recreation amenities
- Strong neighborhood cohesion with minimal through-traffic
Cons
- Almost completely car-dependent with no direct public transit
- Isolated from walkable retail, grocery stores, and nightlife
- Strictly residential with few public amenities for casual tourists without a local host
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is practically non-existent within this strictly residential suburban subdivision; social services and emergency shelters are located several miles south in Tuscaloosa.
What Highland Lakes is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with residents jogging, walking dogs, and school buses moving through safe streets.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Quiet suburban atmosphere with low vehicular traffic and children playing in front yards.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and residential with families walking around the lakes as the sun sets.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very dark and quiet with negligible street activity and low risk of crime.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is virtually nonexistent in this area; Tuscaloosa Transit Authority (Tuscaloosa Trolley) does not provide fixed-route service to Highland Lakes, making personal vehicles essential.
Parking is completely hassle-free with ample private driveways and unrestricted, free curbside parking along neighborhood streets.
Things to do in Highland Lakes
- Take a morning stroll or jog around the neighborhood's scenic lakefront paths
- Visit nearby Lake Lurleen State Park for hiking, kayaking, and camping
- Drive a short distance south to Historic Downtown Northport for folk art and local pottery
Local favorites
- City Cafe · Southern Restaurant · 4.7★ (2150)Historic nearby diner famed for classic meat-and-three plates, sweet tea, and Southern breakfasts.
- The Historic Potter's Post · Art Gallery & Pottery Studio · 4.8★ (120)A prominent local arts fixture in nearby downtown Northport showcasing regional crafts and pottery.
- Billy's Sports Grill · American Sports Grill · 4.3★ (680)Casual nearby spot serving burgers, wings, and craft beers on tap with a lively patio.
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.