Is Hilltop safe?
Virginia Beach, Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Hilltop as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Hilltop
“Go. Hilltop is an affluent, well-maintained commercial and residential district that is exceptionally safe for visitors. While occasional vehicle break-ins occur in expansive retail parking lots, violent crime is very rare.”
Infrastructure safety has improved following the multi-year Virginia Department of Transportation Laskin Road widening and bridge modernization project.
About the area
Located just inland from the Oceanfront, Hilltop is Virginia Beach's premier suburban retail and dining district. The area features extensive open-air shopping centers, specialty grocers, medical facilities, and quiet surrounding residential neighborhoods.
- Upscale Shopping
- Car-Dependent
- Dining Hub
- Safe & Clean
- Suburban
Walking and biking in Hilltop
Walk score: 56/100 · Bike score: 48/100
There is no municipal bike-share system in Hilltop, but recently modernized sidewalks and multi-use path segments along Laskin Road offer connections to Oceanfront cycling routes.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are significantly lower than national and state averages.
- Strong economic profile with high median household incomes and very low poverty rates.
- Extensive variety of upscale dining, specialty groceries, and boutique shopping destinations.
Cons
- Occasional retail shoplifting and opportunistic vehicle break-ins in large commercial parking plazas.
- Heavy vehicular traffic along multi-lane thoroughfares creates hazards for crossing pedestrians.
- Auto-centric layout necessitates driving between separate commercial strip plazas.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal in Hilltop, though occasional panhandling occurs at high-traffic roadway medians along Virginia Beach Boulevard and Laskin Road; visible encampments are not present.
What Hilltop is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Vibrant and calm with locals grabbing breakfast and visiting fitness studios in a completely safe atmosphere.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Bustling with shoppers and lunch crowds across plazas with robust visibility and no general safety issues.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Active and welcoming as restaurants fill up, featuring well-lit parking lots and steady vehicle flow.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet and largely empty once retail centers close, remaining safe though standard awareness in large parking lots is sensible.
Transit, parking and getting around
Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) provides local bus service along Laskin Road and Virginia Beach Boulevard primarily via Route 20 and Route 33. There is no passenger light rail or BRT connection in this immediate area.
Parking is abundant and free in large surface lots located in front of every shopping complex, with virtually no need for street or paid garage parking.
Things to do in Hilltop
- Explore upscale fashion boutiques, home decor stores, and gift shops across The Shops at Hilltop.
- Sample diverse cuisine at local dining staples along Laskin and First Colonial Roads.
- Pick up artisanal provisions, local produce, and baked goods at regional gourmet markets.
Local favorites
- No Frill Bar and Grill · American Restaurant · 4.6★ (1850)A popular local gathering spot serving hearty American comfort food, sandwiches, and craft beers.
- Baladi Mediterranean Cafe · Mediterranean Restaurant · 4.7★ (1100)Intimate eatery focusing on organic, locally sourced Middle Eastern dishes, shawarma, and fresh pita.
- The Bagel Baker · Bagel Shop · 4.6★ (1400)Authentic kettle-boiled New York-style bagel bakery with house-made spreads and breakfast sandwiches.
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.