Is Mesa Forest safe?
Austin, Texas · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Mesa Forest as “Go”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Mesa Forest
“Go. Mesa Forest is a quiet, affluent residential enclave in Northwest Austin where violent crime is exceptionally rare. Visitors will experience a peaceful, low-stress environment, though the area is predominantly residential and requires a vehicle to get around.”
About the area
Mesa Forest is an established, tree-lined Northwest Austin neighborhood characterized by mid-to-late 20th-century single-family homes and rolling terrain. Situated near Mesa Drive between Spicewood Springs and Far West, it offers quick access to major corridors like MoPac and Loop 360 while maintaining a tranquil suburban atmosphere.
- Quiet / Residential
- Family-Friendly
- Tree-Lined Suburb
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Mesa Forest
Walk score: 38/100 · Bike score: 44/100
Bicycle lanes are present along sections of Mesa Drive, but interior streets feature steep hills and lack dedicated lanes; no direct off-street greenway connections exist within the immediate subdivision.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are exceptionally low and well below Austin citywide averages
- High median household incomes and strong homeownership rates foster well-maintained properties
- Low-traffic, quiet residential streets with extensive mature canopy cover
Cons
- Occasional opportunistic property crime such as unlocked vehicle break-ins
- Winding, hilly interior streets have minimal sidewalks and dim nighttime lighting
- Car-dependent setting with minimal commercial options within immediate walking distance
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence within Mesa Forest's residential interior, though minor panhandling occasionally occurs at major highway intersections along US-183 and Loop 1.
What Mesa Forest is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Very safe and quiet, populated mostly by morning joggers, dog walkers, and light neighborhood school traffic.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Pleasant and secure with virtually no foot traffic aside from occasional delivery drivers and residents.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and peaceful as residents return home; streets remain safe for evening walks.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely quiet and dark with limited streetlights, but crime risk remains minimal.
Transit, parking and getting around
CapMetro serves the outer edge of the neighborhood primarily via Route 19 along Mesa Drive, with express connections nearby; the nearest CapMetro Rail station is Kramer Station, roughly 4.5 miles east.
Street parking is free, abundant, and unrestricted throughout the neighborhood's residential streets and nearby plaza lots.
Things to do in Mesa Forest
- Hike the quiet limestone trail down into the canyon at nearby Stillhouse Hollow Nature Preserve
- Enjoy the playgrounds, sports courts, and green spaces at Mountain View Park
- Take a scenic drive along the hill country ridges overlooking Northwest Austin and Lake Austin
Local favorites
- Epoch Coffee - Far West · Coffee Shop · 4.5★ (1150)A cozy, long-standing neighborhood coffeehouse serving craft espresso, pastries, and late-night snacks.
- Saffron South Asian Cuisine · Indian Restaurant · 4.5★ (880)Relaxed eatery nearby offering flavorful North Indian curries, tandoori specialties, and Nepalese momos.
- Biderman's Deli · Deli · 4.4★ (530)Neighborhood Jewish-style deli famous for house-made bagels, pastrami sandwiches, and matzo ball soup.
Neighborhoods near Mesa Forest
Common questions about Mesa Forest
Is Mesa Forest safe to walk at night?
Generally yes — use the same awareness you would anywhere after dark.
Is Mesa Forest a good place to live?
On safety, Mesa Forest scores 88/100 — safer than most of the areas we score, which is a good start for anyone looking to live here.
How walkable is Mesa Forest?
Walk score 38/100 and bike score 44/100. Most trips need a car.
Which areas near Mesa Forest are safer?
North Cat Mountain (92), Highland Hills (90) score higher nearby.
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