Is Lafayette safe?
Tallahassee, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Lafayette as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Lafayette
“Go. Lafayette is one of Tallahassee's most established, scenic, and peaceful residential neighborhoods. It offers low violent crime rates, beautiful tree-canopied streets, and easy access to both downtown and Midtown amenities.”
About the area
Lafayette is an attractive, leafy neighborhood located just east of downtown Tallahassee, centered around the beloved Lafayette Park and Community Center. Characterized by charming mid-century homes, historic cottages, and mature live oaks, it is popular with state workers, professionals, and families.
- Leafy & Historic
- Family-Friendly
- Quiet Residential
- Tranquil
Walking and biking in Lafayette
Walk score: 52/100 · Bike score: 64/100
Residential streets are calm and bike-friendly, with easy connectivity to the Miccosukee Greenway and Lafayette Heritage Trail corridors.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are substantially lower than the citywide average
- High rates of homeownership and well-maintained residential properties
- Direct access to community recreation, tennis courts, and neighborhood green spaces
Cons
- Occasional opportunistic property crimes like unlocked vehicle break-ins
- Limited street lighting on select interior residential lanes at night
- Commercial options directly within the interior core are minimal, requiring short trips to neighboring corridors
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is uncommon within the interior residential streets of Lafayette, though occasional individuals may be seen along major peripheral thoroughfares like East Tennessee Street.
What Lafayette is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with dog walkers, joggers, and neighbors heading out for their morning commute.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and residential with pleasant pedestrian activity near parks and shaded sidewalks.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet and comfortable, with residents walking dogs and enjoying the cooler twilight hours.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very low foot traffic and mostly quiet, requiring basic personal awareness due to darker, tree-shaded side streets.
Transit, parking and getting around
StarMetro operates local bus service with nearby routes along East Tennessee Street (Route E) and Gadsden Street, though most residents rely on personal vehicles.
Residential street parking is readily available and free throughout the neighborhood, with dedicated free parking at the community center and local parks.
Things to do in Lafayette
- Play tennis, pickleball, or stroll through the gardens at Lafayette Park Arts and Crafts Center
- Explore the nearby outdoor trails and scenic boardwalks at Lafayette Heritage Trail Park
- Take an architectural walk beneath mature oak canopies admiring preserved mid-century and historic homes
Local favorites
- Kool Beanz Cafe · Eclectic American Restaurant · 4.7★ (1250)Acclaimed nearby eatery serving creative, ever-changing seasonal dishes with bold global flavors.
- RedEye Coffee - Midtown · Coffee Shop · 4.6★ (520)Community-focused cafe offering ethically sourced coffees, teas, and light pastries.
- Liberty Bar & Restaurant · Gastropub & Cocktail Bar · 4.5★ (880)Popular neighborhood spot serving craft cocktails, elevated pub fare, and late-night eats.
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.
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