Is Los Jardines safe?
Austin, Texas · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Los Jardines as “Caution”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Los Jardines
“Go with care. While Los Jardines is primarily a modest, working-class residential pocket, surrounding corridors in Southeast Austin experience elevated rates of property crime and occasional nighttime disturbances. Daytime visits are straightforward and generally uneventful, but standard urban precautions are recommended after dark.”
About the area
Los Jardines is a small, established residential neighborhood located in Southeast Austin near the Montopolis and East Oltorf corridors. It consists largely of mid-century single-family homes, duplexes, and older apartment communities undergoing gradual modern infill. Visitors primarily pass through for its close proximity to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and the rich cluster of authentic Mexican eateries nearby.
- Working-Class
- Quiet Residential
- Cultural Pocket
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Los Jardines
Walk score: 48/100 · Bike score: 58/100
Neighborhood interior streets are generally calm for cycling, but dedicated bike lanes are limited until connecting to the Roy G. Guerrero trails or Montopolis bike paths.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Close-knit, long-established residential streets with minimal foot traffic off main corridors
- Convenient driving access to both Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and Downtown Austin
- Proximity to authentic, highly rated Mexican restaurants and food trucks along East Oltorf
Cons
- Elevated property crime and vehicle theft rates typical of the broader Southeast Austin sector
- Higher local poverty rates (exceeding 20% in adjacent census tracts) and older infrastructure
- Inconsistent sidewalk connectivity and inadequate street lighting on several residential blocks
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is moderately common along the commercial intersections of East Oltorf Street and Montopolis Drive, but encampments are rarely found within the residential core of Los Jardines.
What Los Jardines is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Mornings are calm and quiet as residents commute and local school traffic picks up on peripheral streets.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Afternoons are active with neighborhood residents out, though vehicle traffic builds on adjacent arterials.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Evenings are generally peaceful on residential blocks, with dining activity centered along Oltorf and Riverside.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Late nights warrant elevated caution due to limited street illumination and sporadic loitering near major intersections.
Transit, parking and getting around
CapMetro serves the perimeter with routes such as Route 20 (providing direct service to Downtown and the airport) and Route 300, though the neighborhood has no passenger rail access.
Street parking is free and generally easy to find along residential streets, while local strip malls offer ample complimentary surface lot parking.
Things to do in Los Jardines
- Sample authentic street tacos and late-night eats along the vibrant East Oltorf Street food corridor
- Enjoy sports fields, a community pool, and fitness amenities at the nearby Montopolis Recreation Center
- Head north to Roy G. Guerrero Colorado River Metro Park for disc golf, nature trails, and river access
Local favorites
- Rosita's Al Pastor · Mexican Restaurant · 4.6★ (2500)Celebrated local staple renowned for its authentic trompo-roasted al pastor served on fresh homemade flour tortillas.
- 888 Pan Asian Restaurant · Pan-Asian Restaurant · 4.5★ (3400)Lively, expansive destination serving generous portions of Vietnamese pho, Thai curries, and stir-fries.
- Montopolis Recreation Center · Community Center · 4.7★ (150)Modern civic hub featuring public athletic courts, community programming, and open recreational space.
Neighborhoods near Los Jardines
Common questions about Los Jardines
Is Los Jardines safe to walk at night?
Take care after dark: stick to lit main streets or take a ride.
Is Los Jardines a good place to live?
On safety, Los Jardines scores 64/100 — below average, so visit at different times of day before deciding to move.
How walkable is Los Jardines?
Walk score 48/100 and bike score 58/100. Most trips need a car.
Which areas near Los Jardines are safer?
Greenslopes (86), Logan's Mill (76), Yarrabee Bend (73) score higher nearby.
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