Is Laurel Oaks (Houston) safe?
Houston, Texas · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Laurel Oaks (Houston) as “Caution”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Laurel Oaks (Houston)
“Go with care. Laurel Oaks is a modest, quiet residential subdivision, but the surrounding commercial corridors experience elevated rates of vehicle break-ins and property crime. Visitors should stick to daytime visits and practice standard suburban vigilance when parking along commercial strips.”
About the area
Laurel Oaks is an established residential neighborhood located in north Houston near the FM 1960 and Veterans Memorial Drive corridors. It features mid-century to late-20th-century single-family homes set along quiet cul-de-sacs. The area is heavily car-dependent, with commercial and dining options concentrated along perimeter thoroughfares.
- Suburban
- Car-Dependent
- Residential
- Quiet
Walking and biking in Laurel Oaks (Houston)
Walk score: 28/100 · Bike score: 35/100
There is no municipal bike-share station in the area, and major surrounding arterials lack dedicated bike lanes, making cycling best suited only for the interior neighborhood streets.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Calm, low-traffic residential interior streets with established tree cover
- Affordable single-family housing with high homeownership within the core subdivision
- Close proximity to practical retail, grocery stores, and major commuter roadways
Cons
- Elevated property and vehicle crime rates in surrounding shopping centers and intersections
- High car dependency with virtually no walkable retail directly inside the neighborhood
- Limited street lighting and sidewalks on several perimeter connecting roads
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is rarely observed within the interior neighborhood streets, but occasional individuals and panhandling can be seen near key bus stops and retail intersections along FM 1960 and Veterans Memorial Drive.
What Laurel Oaks (Houston) is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with residents heading out for work and school; safe for walking and jogging within the subdivision.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Low-key and quiet throughout the residential blocks with steady commuter traffic along the arterial borders.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Subdivision streets remain calm, though caution is recommended in commercial strip parking lots after dark.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very quiet and dimly lit; walking along perimeter roads is not advised due to limited pedestrian infrastructure and isolated pockets.
Transit, parking and getting around
METRO Houston operates local bus service along nearby perimeter corridors, including Route 86 on FM 1960 and Route 96 on Veterans Memorial Drive, but there is no light rail access in this part of the city.
Street parking is free and readily available along residential roads, and large free surface lots are standard at all nearby commercial centers.
Things to do in Laurel Oaks (Houston)
- Walk or jog the quiet residential residential loops and cul-de-sacs
- Explore the nearby Cypress Creek Greenway trails and Collins Park sports facilities
- Sample diverse taquerias and international eateries along Veterans Memorial Drive
Local favorites
- Tacos Del Julio · Mexican Restaurant · 4.2★ (1950)Longstanding casual restaurant famous for Monterrey-style street tacos, parrilladas, and salsa bar.
- Pho Huy · Vietnamese Restaurant · 4.4★ (420)Unassuming strip-mall staple serving fragrant pho bowls, vermicelli dishes, and spring rolls.
- Taqueria El Sol De Jalisco · Tex-Mex Restaurant · 4.3★ (580)Neighborhood favorite serving hearty breakfast tacos, fajitas, and traditional Mexican comfort foods.
Neighborhoods near Laurel Oaks (Houston)
Common questions about Laurel Oaks (Houston)
Is Laurel Oaks (Houston) safe to walk at night?
Take care after dark: stick to lit main streets or take a ride.
Is Laurel Oaks (Houston) a good place to live?
On safety, Laurel Oaks (Houston) scores 64/100 — below average, so visit at different times of day before deciding to move.
How walkable is Laurel Oaks (Houston)?
Walk score 28/100 and bike score 35/100. Most trips need a car.
Which areas near Laurel Oaks (Houston) are safer?
Rustling Oaks (88), Whispering Pines (Houston) (87) score higher nearby.
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