Is New Hampshire Gardens safe?
Takoma Park, Maryland · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates New Hampshire Gardens as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on New Hampshire Gardens
“Go. New Hampshire Gardens is a quiet, leafy residential enclave in Takoma Park that offers a peaceful suburban atmosphere with strong community ties. While the adjacent New Hampshire Avenue commercial strip sees occasional retail and property crime, the residential interior remains generally safe and pleasant for visitors.”
Recent local police blotters note occasional vehicle thefts and retail theft along the nearby New Hampshire Avenue commercial boundary, but residential violent crime remains uncommon.
About the area
New Hampshire Gardens is a predominantly residential, multicultural neighborhood situated on the eastern side of Takoma Park along the New Hampshire Avenue corridor. It features mid-century single-family homes, mature tree canopies, and quick access to both suburban parks and diverse international dining options. Visitors will find a friendly, laid-back community that bridges quiet suburban streets with vibrant commercial transit corridors.
- Quiet & Residential
- Family-Friendly
- Culturally Diverse
- Tree-Lined Streets
Walking and biking in New Hampshire Gardens
Walk score: 62/100 · Bike score: 68/100
Capital Bikeshare docks are available nearby along major corridors, and cyclists enjoy direct, easy access to the scenic Sligo Creek Trail for long-distance off-road riding.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Dedicated Takoma Park municipal police department provides responsive local patrols
- Stable homeownership and active civic engagement contribute to a safe residential pocket
- Convenient proximity to the Sligo Creek Trail system and local community parks
- Low rates of residential violent crime compared to the broader regional average
Cons
- Higher rates of property crime and theft from motor vehicles near major thoroughfares
- Busy traffic and pedestrian safety concerns along the New Hampshire Avenue edge
- Spillover commercial incidents from nearby high-traffic cross-county corridors
- Limited street lighting along some interior residential side streets
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal within the residential streets, though occasional unhoused individuals or panhandling can be observed near major bus transit stops and strip malls along New Hampshire Avenue.
What New Hampshire Gardens is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with dog walkers, joggers, and commuters heading out with minimal safety concerns.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and safe throughout the residential grid, with steady pedestrian and vehicle traffic near commercial nodes.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Generally safe for neighborhood strolls, though standard situational awareness is advisable near transit stops.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet and dark on residential streets; walking is generally fine but sticking to well-lit paths is recommended.
Transit, parking and getting around
Ride On Montgomery County and WMATA Metrobus routes (such as the K6 and C2/C4 corridors) run along New Hampshire Avenue and University Boulevard, connecting riders to the Takoma and Fort Totten Metrorail stations (Red, Green lines) within a 10-to-15 minute bus ride.
Residential street parking is readily available and generally free without stringent permit restrictions, while commercial plazas along New Hampshire Avenue provide free surface lot parking.
Things to do in New Hampshire Gardens
- Walk or jog through the scenic paved paths of nearby Sligo Creek Park
- Visit the Takoma Park Community Center for local art exhibitions and cultural events
- Explore the diverse array of authentic international grocery stores and eateries along New Hampshire Avenue
Local favorites
- Sardi's Pollo A La Brasa · Peruvian Restaurant · 4.3★ (2340)Popular regional staple famous for its charcoal-rotisserie chicken and flavorful Peruvian sides.
- Mansa Kunda Restaurant · West African Restaurant · 4.6★ (460)Celebrated local dining spot offering authentic Gambian and Senegalese specialties.
- El Golfo Restaurant · Latin American Restaurant · 4.4★ (1120)Vibrant neighborhood venue serving traditional Central and South American dishes with occasional live music.
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.