Is Longwood (The Bronx) safe?
The Bronx, New York · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Longwood (The Bronx) as “Caution”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Longwood (The Bronx)
“Go with care. Longwood features stunning landmarked turn-of-the-century architecture and deep cultural roots, but violent and property crime rates remain significantly above national averages. Visitors should stick to daytime visits, remain aware of their surroundings, and avoid dimly lit side streets or industrial borders after dark.”
About the area
Longwood is a historic residential neighborhood in the South Bronx characterized by distinctive Romanesque Revival rowhouses juxtaposed against busy elevated transit corridors. It is an active working-class community home to vibrant Puerto Rican, Dominican, and Central American heritage, authentic dining, and grassroots community gardens.
- Historic Architecture
- Culturally Rich
- Urban Working-Class
- Transit-Adjacent
Walking and biking in Longwood (The Bronx)
Walk score: 96/100 · Bike score: 68/100
Citi Bike stations are distributed throughout the neighborhood, though cyclists must share narrow roadways with heavy traffic due to a limited network of protected bike lanes.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- The protected Longwood Historic District features exceptionally preserved late-19th-century brick and limestone rowhouses.
- Rich local food scene offering authentic Caribbean and Central American cuisines.
- Active network of resident-managed green spaces and community gardens like Kelly Street Garden.
Cons
- Violent crime, robberies, and felony assaults in the precinct area are significantly higher than national medians.
- Poverty rates exceed 30%, reflecting broader economic distress and lower median household incomes.
- Heavy vehicle traffic and elevated subway line noise along commercial thoroughfares create persistent congestion.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness and street panhandling are moderately present, particularly clustered near elevated subway stations and major retail intersections along Southern Boulevard.
What Longwood (The Bronx) is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Streets are active with students and commuters heading to the subway, offering a lively and generally secure atmosphere along main avenues.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Commercial corridors stay bustling with shoppers and open markets, though visitors should remain alert to loitering and street disputes.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Activity tapers as daylight fades; residential pockets quiet down while transit hubs maintain steady, cautious pedestrian flow.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Safety decreases markedly late at night due to higher risks of robbery and street violence; non-essential walking alone is discouraged.
Transit, parking and getting around
The neighborhood is well-served by the MTA with the 2 and 5 subway trains stopping at Intervale Avenue and Simpson Street, and the 6 train at Longwood Avenue; major bus routes include the Bx4, Bx6, and Bx19.
On-street parking is extremely competitive due to high resident vehicle density and alternate side parking rules, with almost no public parking garages available nearby.
Things to do in Longwood (The Bronx)
- Stroll Beck Street and Hewitt Place within the Longwood Historic District to view landmarked early-20th-century architecture.
- Visit community-driven green hubs like the Kelly Street Garden for localized urban agriculture workshops and events.
- Sample traditional roast pork, mofongo, and Latin specialties along Southern Boulevard and Westchester Avenue.
Local favorites
- Seis Vecinos · Central American Restaurant · 4.4★ (980)Acclaimed dining room serving authentic Honduran and Central American specialties including pupusas and baleadas.
- El Nuevo Bohio Restaurant · Puerto Rican Restaurant · 4.2★ (510)Longstanding neighborhood staple renowned for traditional slow-roasted pernil, pasteles, and classic Caribbean sides.
- Sabrosura 2 · Latin-Asian Fusion · 4.3★ (490)Bustling local eatery famous for generous portions of Chino-Latino fried rice and Caribbean dishes.
Neighborhoods near Longwood (The Bronx)
Common questions about Longwood (The Bronx)
Is Longwood (The Bronx) safe to walk at night?
Take care after dark: stick to lit main streets or take a ride.
Is Longwood (The Bronx) a good place to live?
On safety, Longwood (The Bronx) scores 52/100 — below average, so visit at different times of day before deciding to move.
How walkable is Longwood (The Bronx)?
Walk score 96/100 and bike score 68/100. Most errands can be done on foot.
Which areas near Longwood (The Bronx) are safer?
Melrose (The Bronx) (54), Soundview-Bruckner-Bronx River (54) score higher nearby.
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