Is Meadowbrook safe?
Norfolk, Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Meadowbrook as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Meadowbrook
“Go. Meadowbrook is a quiet, highly stable residential enclave in Norfolk with very low violent crime and pleasant tree-lined streets. While visitors have little to worry about regarding personal safety, standard precautions against opportunistic car break-ins should still be observed.”
About the area
Meadowbrook is an established waterfront-adjacent residential neighborhood in Norfolk characterized by well-kept mid-century and traditional homes surrounded by mature trees. It offers a peaceful suburban atmosphere along the Lafayette River tributaries, just minutes from the dining and retail corridors of Wards Corner and Ghent.
- Quiet & Residential
- Waterfront Enclave
- Tree-Lined Streets
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Meadowbrook
Walk score: 28/100 · Bike score: 48/100
There are no dedicated bike lanes within the neighborhood, but low traffic volumes make neighborhood cycling easy and safe; regional trail connections require navigating busier perimeter roads.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are exceptionally low compared to the Norfolk citywide average.
- High homeownership rate and strong median household incomes maintain well-kept properties.
- Low-traffic neighborhood streets create a safe, relaxed environment for outdoor walks.
Cons
- Occasional opportunistic property crimes such as unlocked vehicle tampering and porch theft occur.
- Virtually zero commercial amenities within the neighborhood boundaries, requiring a car for errands.
- Low-lying areas near the river can be vulnerable to localized street flooding during severe tidal storms.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence within the residential interior of Meadowbrook, though occasional individuals panhandling may be observed along major commercial intersections on Little Creek Road.
What Meadowbrook is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Very peaceful and safe, with neighbors walking dogs and joggers taking advantage of low-traffic streets.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm, sunlit, and secure, with sporadic delivery trucks and residential traffic.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet and safe for an evening walk, though interior residential lighting can be dim under dense tree canopies.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely quiet with minimal activity; safe, but visitors should always lock vehicle doors.
Transit, parking and getting around
Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) provides bus service along peripheral corridors like Granby Street via Route 8. Norfolk's light rail system, The Tide, terminates downtown roughly five miles to the south.
Street parking on residential roadways is free, unrestricted, and easily accessible, alongside ample private residential driveways.
Things to do in Meadowbrook
- Stroll along the scenic, winding residential roads featuring architectural styles from the mid-20th century.
- Launch a kayak or paddleboard from nearby public access points along the Lafayette River.
- Visit the nearby Hermitage Museum and Gardens located just across the inlet in Lochhaven.
Local favorites
- TASTE · Gourmet Sandwich Shop & Market · 4.6★ (850)Popular regional specialty food market and cafe known for custom sandwiches, salads, and artisan groceries.
- The Dirty Buffalo · American Restaurant · 4.4★ (2150)Neighborhood sports eatery serving authentic Western New York-style chicken wings and craft beer.
- El Rey Taqueria · Mexican Restaurant · 4.5★ (560)Casual, authentic spot praised for handmade tacos, tortas, and classic Mexican street food.
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.