Is Mathews Place safe?
Tampa, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Mathews Place as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on Mathews Place
“Go. Mathews Place is a quiet, modest residential enclave in the broader West Tampa area that is generally peaceful for visitors and residents alike. While bordering commercial corridors require normal urban awareness, the residential core experiences low violent crime rates.”
Recent local reporting in the surrounding West Tampa area primarily focuses on rapid urban redevelopment and ongoing traffic improvements along major transit arteries.
About the area
Mathews Place is a small, primarily residential neighborhood nestled in West Tampa with quick access to Midtown Tampa and the Westshore business district. It features a mix of mid-century single-family homes, newer infill construction, and quiet side streets bordered by busy commercial arteries. Visitors typically find themselves here for convenient lodging near central Tampa or when accessing adjacent dining hubs.
- Residential
- Suburban-Urban Mix
- Quiet Streets
- Convenient Location
Walking and biking in Mathews Place
Walk score: 58/100 · Bike score: 52/100
Biking is manageable on low-speed interior residential streets, but dedicated protected bike lanes are sparse; shared micromobility scooters and bikes can be found closer to Midtown Tampa.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Lower violent crime rates compared to broader central and eastern Tampa neighborhoods
- Close proximity to high-end amenities at Midtown Tampa and Westshore Plaza
- Stable residential pocket with rising property values and steady homeownership
- Quick 10-minute drive to Tampa International Airport and Downtown Tampa
Cons
- Elevated property crime and opportunistic vehicle theft along adjacent commercial corridors
- Limited continuous sidewalk infrastructure on some residential side streets
- Cut-through traffic and road noise from nearby major thoroughfares during peak hours
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal within the residential streets of Mathews Place, though occasional individuals or panhandling can be observed near major intersections along adjacent commercial corridors.
What Mathews Place is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and quiet, with neighborhood dog walkers and residents commuting out to work.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm residential atmosphere, though traffic picks up considerably on border commercial streets.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Generally safe and relaxed, though streetlighting varies from block to block.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet with very little foot traffic; standard caution is advised along unlit side streets and commercial perimeters.
Transit, parking and getting around
Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) operates bus routes along neighboring corridors such as Route 15 (Columbus Dr) and Route 7 (Armenia/Howard), though there is no direct passenger rail service in the immediate neighborhood.
Residential street parking is generally free and easy to find, while adjacent commercial establishments provide dedicated on-site parking lots.
Things to do in Mathews Place
- Explore shopping, dining, and outdoor public spaces at the nearby Midtown Tampa complex
- Sample traditional Cuban sandwiches and pastries along historical West Tampa dining strips
- Take a short drive to Raymond James Stadium to catch an NFL game or concert
Local favorites
- Oggi Italian · Italian Restaurant · 4.6★ (680)Cozy neighborhood trattoria serving handmade pastas, thin-crust pizzas, and Italian classics.
- West Tampa Sandwich Shop · Cuban Restaurant · 4.5★ (2400)Famed local institution serving traditional Cuban sandwiches, cafe con leche, and breakfast platters.
- Cigar City Brewing · Brewery & Taproom · 4.6★ (3100)Famous craft brewery offering taproom pours, brewery tours, and a food menu a short drive west.
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.