Is Method safe?
Cary, North Carolina · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Method as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on Method
“Go. Method is a quiet, historic neighborhood tucked between West Raleigh and Cary, offering a safe and peaceful environment for visitors. Violent crime is rare, and while routine vehicle property theft exists near collegiate housing complexes, standard precautions make for a trouble-free visit.”
About the area
Established as a historic freedmen's community in the 1870s, Method has evolved into a leafy residential pocket bordering NC State University. It blends multi-generational family homes, modern student apartments, and active community spaces in a relaxed suburban-urban setting.
- Historic
- Collegiate
- Quiet Residential
- Suburban Fringe
Walking and biking in Method
Walk score: 44/100 · Bike score: 60/100
Bicyclists have convenient access to the Rocky Branch Trail and Reedy Creek Greenway connections leading to the NC Museum of Art and downtown greenways.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Low rate of violent crime compared to broader municipal averages
- Close proximity to university amenities and the Capital Area Greenway network
- Strong community identity and well-maintained public parks like Method Community Park
- Quiet residential streets with low through-traffic off the main corridors
Cons
- Occasional property crimes and vehicle break-ins near multi-family student complexes
- Patchy sidewalk infrastructure on secondary residential streets
- Traffic congestion along border arterials like Western Boulevard during rush hours
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is uncommon within the residential core of Method, though occasional unhoused individuals or panhandlers can be seen near commercial plazas along Western Boulevard.
What Method is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and safe, with joggers, dog walkers, and students commuting toward campus.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and residential with routine community center activity and light traffic.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet and safe, though visibility can be limited on streets without consistent lampposts.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Generally still, with occasional student foot traffic; keeping car doors locked is advised.
Transit, parking and getting around
GoRaleigh bus routes 9 and 12 serve the perimeter along Hillsborough Street and Method Road, providing direct access to NC State and Downtown Raleigh.
Free on-street parking is readily available throughout most residential streets, though student apartment lots enforce strict permit-only towing.
Things to do in Method
- Explore the historic Berry O'Kelly historic campus and Method Community Park
- Connect to the Capital Area Greenway system for a long walk or bike ride
- Sample international dining options along the Western Boulevard corridor
Local favorites
- Neomonde Mediterranean · Mediterranean Restaurant · 4.6★ (2750)Beloved local institution offering authentic Lebanese fare, fresh-baked pita, and market goods.
- Cup A Joe · Coffee Shop · 4.5★ (1420)Bohemian, long-standing coffeehouse known for house-roasted beans, quirky decor, and strong espresso.
- Players' Retreat · Bar & Grill · 4.6★ (1550)Legendary casual pub serving classic burgers, sandwiches, and drinks since 1951.
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.