Is Longfellow safe?
Columbia, Maryland · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Longfellow as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Longfellow
“Go. Longfellow is an exceptionally safe, serene, and well-maintained planned neighborhood within Columbia's Village of Harper's Choice. Visitors and residents can walk and explore the community and its extensive greenway trails with virtually no safety concerns.”
About the area
Longfellow is a peaceful residential enclave featuring mature trees, cul-de-sacs, single-family homes, and townhouses built around the vision of Columbia's master plan. It borders the Harper's Choice Village Center and connects directly to miles of scenic, paved Columbia Association walking and biking paths.
- Family-Friendly
- Tree-Lined
- Quiet Residential
- Suburban
Walking and biking in Longfellow
Walk score: 38/100 · Bike score: 58/100
There is no local public bike-share program, but the neighborhood provides immediate access to over 100 miles of off-street paved Columbia Association multi-use pathways.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are exceptionally low and well below national averages
- High household median incomes and strong property upkeep throughout the village
- Direct integration with Columbia's well-patrolled, extensive multi-use trail system
Cons
- Occasional opportunistic property offenses such as unlocked vehicle larcenies
- Heavily car-dependent for dining, retail, and regional transit connections
- Suburban streetscapes have limited lighting along non-main pathways late at night
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is virtually non-existent in Longfellow, with any regional support services and resources located closer to central transit hubs in downtown Columbia.
What Longfellow is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Vibrant and calm with neighbors walking dogs, jogging, and school commutes underway in daylight.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Quiet suburban atmosphere with light local traffic and open, peaceful residential streets.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and safe for evening walks, family strolls, and outdoor recreation before dusk.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very dark and quiet with little activity; safely traversed though cul-de-sacs feel somewhat secluded.
Transit, parking and getting around
Transit is provided by the Regional Transportation Agency of Central Maryland (RTA) with bus routes 405 and 501 nearby on Harper's Farm Road; the nearest commuter rail connection is the Dorsey MARC Station roughly a 15-minute drive east.
Parking is completely free and easy to find across residential driveways, curbside streets, and shopping center surface lots with zero metered parking.
Things to do in Longfellow
- Walk or jog along the wooded pathways connecting Longfellow Park to surrounding Columbia villages
- Visit the nearby Harper's Choice Village Center for casual dining and neighborhood conveniences
- Enjoy the outdoor recreation facilities and pool at the Longfellow Neighborhood Center
Local favorites
- Maiwand Kabob · Afghan Restaurant · 4.5★ (760)Popular local spot serving authentic Afghan specialties, freshly baked naan, and grilled kabobs.
- Niko Restaurant · Greek & Italian Restaurant · 4.4★ (370)Neighborhood staple offering gyros, pizzas, pasta, and subs in a relaxed family setting.
- Decanter Fine Wines · Wine & Spirits Store · 4.6★ (160)Well-stocked neighborhood beverage shop featuring craft beers, spirits, and an extensive wine selection.
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.