Is Morey Heights safe?
Tampa, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Morey Heights as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Morey Heights
“Go. Morey Heights is an upscale, exceptionally quiet South Tampa residential neighborhood that is very safe for visitors day and night. While it is primarily a residential pocket without major tourist attractions, it provides a secure and charming base close to South MacDill Avenue dining and Bayshore Boulevard.”
About the area
Morey Heights is a mature, tree-lined residential community situated in South Tampa between major commercial corridors. Characterized by well-maintained mid-century and modern single-family homes, the neighborhood enjoys low traffic volumes and manicured streets. Its location offers visitors quick access to waterfront jogging paths, boutique shopping, and highly regarded local restaurants.
- Upscale Residential
- Quiet & Tree-Lined
- Suburban Feel
- Safe & Peaceful
Walking and biking in Morey Heights
Walk score: 58/100 · Bike score: 64/100
While internal roads lack dedicated bike lanes, wide residential streets with low speed limits are very bike-friendly, connecting easily to the iconic Bayshore Boulevard multi-use trail half a mile east.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are significantly lower than both Tampa citywide and national averages.
- Strong economic stability marked by high median household incomes and predominantly owner-occupied housing.
- Quiet, shaded residential streets with minimal through traffic and active neighborhood watch presence.
- Immediate walking proximity to the bustling dining and retail corridor along South MacDill Avenue.
Cons
- Occasional opportunistic property crime, such as unlocked vehicle trespass and package theft.
- Strictly residential interior requiring short trips out of the neighborhood for most daily amenities.
- High car dependency for traveling across the greater Tampa Bay metro area.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is practically nonexistent within the residential interior of Morey Heights, with only occasional individuals observed along major surrounding arterials like Dale Mabry Highway.
What Morey Heights is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Very calm and exceptionally safe, filled with local joggers, dog walkers, and light resident traffic.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Quiet and family-friendly with clean streets, active landscapers, and minimal vehicle congestion.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Peaceful and safe for strolls as residents return home and diners head toward MacDill Avenue venues.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very dark and tranquil; violent crime is rare, though standard precautions against opportunistic property theft apply.
Transit, parking and getting around
Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) operates Route 19 along South MacDill Avenue and Route 36 along Dale Mabry Highway; there is no light rail or BRT service in the immediate area.
Street parking on residential roads is generally unrestricted and readily available, while local businesses on MacDill Avenue provide dedicated, complimentary surface parking lots.
Things to do in Morey Heights
- Take a morning walk or jog along nearby Bayshore Boulevard, enjoying expansive views of Hillsborough Bay.
- Sample local culinary highlights along the South MacDill Avenue dining strip.
- Cycle through the peaceful, oak-shaded residential streets connecting to the Palma Ceia neighborhood.
Local favorites
- Pane Rustica · Bakery & Restaurant · 4.6★ (1250)Acclaimed local establishment serving artisanal hearth-baked breads, elevated American lunch items, and fine evening dining.
- Mad Dogs & Englishmen · British Pub · 4.5★ (1100)Cozy neighborhood gastropub offering craft ales, British comfort fare, and a pet-friendly covered patio.
- Cru Cellars · Wine Bar & Bistro · 4.6★ (780)Stylish wine bar and kitchen featuring small-production wines, artisanal charcuterie, and patio seating.
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.