Is Knollwood safe?
Greenville, South Carolina · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Knollwood as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Knollwood
“Go. Knollwood is a quiet, established residential neighborhood that offers a safe and peaceful environment for visitors. While there are few commercial attractions directly inside the subdivision, violent crime is low and the area is well maintained.”
About the area
Knollwood is an established, tree-lined residential community located just south of downtown Greenville, South Carolina. Characterized by mid-century single-family homes and quiet streets, it provides a calm suburban setting with quick access to the city's main corridors. Visitors typically encounter the area via short-term rentals or when traveling to nearby parks and nature preserves.
- Suburban / Quiet
- Tree-Lined
- Family-Friendly
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Knollwood
Walk score: 22/100 · Bike score: 28/100
There are no dedicated bike lanes within the neighborhood, but cyclists can access the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail and Lake Conestee trailheads with a short ride or drive.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly lower violent crime rates compared to national and metropolitan averages
- High rate of owner-occupied, well-maintained single-family properties
- Peaceful, low-traffic residential streets with a quiet neighborhood feel
- Convenient driving access to I-85, Laurens Road, and downtown Greenville
Cons
- Isolated property crimes such as occasional vehicle break-ins along perimeter streets
- Lacks dedicated pedestrian infrastructure and continuous sidewalks inside the subdivision
- Completely car-dependent with no retail or dining within easy walking distance
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence within the residential streets of Knollwood, though individuals may occasionally be seen along commercial stretches of nearby Laurens Road.
What Knollwood is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Very peaceful and safe with residents walking dogs and low vehicular traffic.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and quiet suburban atmosphere with typical neighborhood deliveries and maintenance activity.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet and secure, though street lighting is sparse in some interior residential cul-de-sacs.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely dark and quiet; violent crime is rare, but standard caution is advisable when walking without sidewalks.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is provided by Greenville's Greenlink bus network, with sporadic service along nearby arterial corridors like Laurens Road and Mauldin Road, but service is infrequent and practically requires a personal vehicle.
Parking is very easy and free, with ample private residential driveways and unrestricted on-street parking throughout the neighborhood.
Things to do in Knollwood
- Explore the hiking trails and wildlife boardwalks at nearby Lake Conestee Nature Preserve
- Take a short drive into downtown Greenville to visit Falls Park on the Reedy
- Enjoy a morning run or peaceful stroll through the neighborhood's quiet, shaded residential loops
Local favorites
- Kitchen Sync · Farm-to-Table Restaurant · 4.7★ (1420)Popular neighborhood-style eatery on nearby Laurens Road serving sustainably sourced American dishes and craft cocktails.
- Pita House · Middle Eastern Restaurant & Market · 4.8★ (2650)Greenville staple nearby offering authentic falafel, shawarma, and imported Mediterranean specialty groceries.
- The Burrow · Gastropub · 4.6★ (680)Relaxed local tavern offering inventive burgers, craft brews, and Southern comfort food in a cozy setting.
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.