Is Lake Jackson South & Bellwood safe?
Tallahassee, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Lake Jackson South & Bellwood as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on Lake Jackson South & Bellwood
“Go. Lake Jackson South & Bellwood is a largely quiet, suburban-residential sector of northwest Tallahassee that is generally safe for visitors and residents alike. While caution is advised along busy commercial segments of North Monroe Street late at night, the residential subdivisions and lakeside parklands present very low safety risks.”
About the area
Lake Jackson South & Bellwood offers a mix of established leafy neighborhoods, single-family homes, and access to state historical parks. It is defined by rolling canopy roads, suburban strip commerce along US-27, and a quiet, family-oriented lifestyle outside the college core.
- Suburban / Residential
- Car-Dependent
- Wooded / Greenery
- Family-Friendly
Walking and biking in Lake Jackson South & Bellwood
Walk score: 28/100 · Bike score: 34/100
There is no city bike-share system here; cyclists primarily utilize dedicated paved multi-use paths at Fred George Greenway or the dirt trails around Lake Jackson Mounds.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly lower violent crime rates compared to central and southern Tallahassee districts
- High rates of vehicle ownership and well-maintained single-family residential streets
- Convenient proximity to major outdoor recreational hubs and state parks
Cons
- Commercial strips along North Monroe Street experience occasional vehicle break-ins and retail theft
- Poor pedestrian infrastructure and high-speed traffic on major arterial roads
- Limited streetlighting along rural canopy side roads after dark
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal within the residential subdivisions, though occasional individuals panhandle or rest near big-box shopping centers along North Monroe Street.
What Lake Jackson South & Bellwood is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with dog walkers and commuters heading out along Old Bainbridge and Monroe.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Safe and quiet residential streets, with steady suburban traffic flowing through commercial shopping centers.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and residential; commercial plazas remain well-frequented and generally safe for dining and shopping.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Subdued and dark; residential areas are sleepy and safe, while open gas stations along Monroe require standard situational awareness.
Transit, parking and getting around
StarMetro provides limited bus service along the North Monroe corridor (such as the Forest Route), but residential areas lack direct transit and Tallahassee does not operate a rail system.
Parking is abundant, easy, and completely free in commercial surface lots, park trailheads, and residential driveways.
Things to do in Lake Jackson South & Bellwood
- Explore ancient indigenous earthworks and hiking trails at Lake Jackson Mounds Archaeological State Park
- Walk or spot native wildlife along the boardwalks at Fred George Basin Greenway
- Launch a kayak or enjoy fresh air at the Lake Jackson landing areas
Local favorites
- Canopy Road Cafe - North Monroe · Breakfast & Brunch Restaurant · 4.6★ (1150)Popular local diner serving hearty breakfast skillets, artisan pancakes, and comfort lunch plates.
- Red Shed Bar-B-Q · Barbecue Restaurant · 4.7★ (480)Rustic, outdoor-seating BBQ joint famous for smoked brisket, ribs, and down-home Southern sides.
- Wharf Casual Seafood North Monroe · Seafood Restaurant · 4.4★ (890)Casual neighborhood staple serving fried seafood baskets, po'boys, and grilled platters.
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.