Is Highland Residence Park safe?
Birmingham, Alabama · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Highland Residence Park as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on Highland Residence Park
“Go. Highland Residence Park and the broader Highland Park historic district is one of Birmingham's most charming and secure urban neighborhoods. While violent crime is far below city averages, visitors should remain mindful of typical urban property crime like vehicle break-ins.”
Citywide initiatives have focused on park renovations and traffic-calming measures along Highland Avenue to enhance pedestrian safety.
About the area
Nestled on the slopes of Red Mountain, this historic residential neighborhood is celebrated for its lush tree-lined streets, ornate early-20th-century architecture, and network of pocket parks. It offers a relaxed, leafy retreat within minutes of downtown Birmingham and the UAB medical district.
- Historic / Tree-Lined
- Leafy Enclave
- Quiet Residential
- Park-Adjacent
Walking and biking in Highland Residence Park
Walk score: 62/100 · Bike score: 48/100
The neighborhood lacks dedicated bike lanes and features steep hills, but connects via side streets to the Rotary Trail and Jones Valley Trail network about a mile north.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly lower violent crime rates compared to broader Birmingham averages
- High homeownership stability, historic preservation, and well-maintained properties
- Scenic trio of linear public parks within easy walking distance
Cons
- Opportunistic property crime, especially vehicle break-ins along street parking corridors
- Hilly terrain and narrow residential streets can make navigation tight
- Limited commercial retail directly inside the residential core
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is low within the interior residential avenues, though unhoused individuals occasionally pass through or rest in the neighborhood parks during daylight hours without incident.
What Highland Residence Park is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with joggers, dog walkers, and residents commuting amidst quiet streets.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Safe and pleasant, with families and students relaxing in the neighborhood parks.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and ambient, safe for walking to nearby neighborhood restaurants with standard awareness.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet and dimly lit in spots; violent crime is rare, but walking in pairs and locking parked cars is advised.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is operated by BJCTA (MAX Transit), with Route 28 providing bus service along Highland Avenue connecting to downtown Birmingham. Birmingham has no light rail or heavy rail transit system.
Street parking is generally free and accessible throughout the residential streets, though spaces fill up quickly near parks and dining hubs during peak dinner hours.
Things to do in Highland Residence Park
- Stroll beneath century-old hardwoods through Rhodes Park and Rushton Park
- Take a self-guided architectural walking tour of historic Spanish Revival and Tudor homes
- Enjoy casual patio dining and community gatherings along Highland Avenue
Local favorites
- Rojo · Latin & American Restaurant · 4.5★ (1850)A neighborhood mainstay serving Latin-American comfort food on an expansive, dog-friendly patio.
- O'Henry's Coffees - Highland Park · Coffee Shop · 4.6★ (420)Cozy local roastery and cafe offering espresso drinks, pastries, and a welcoming community atmosphere.
- Bottega Cafe · Italian Restaurant · 4.6★ (1280)Renowned chef Frank Stitt's vibrant cafe serving wood-fired pizzas and sophisticated Italian plates.
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.