Is New Northwood safe?
Baltimore, Maryland · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates New Northwood as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on New Northwood
“Go with care. New Northwood is a largely quiet, residential northeast Baltimore neighborhood anchored by Morgan State University and the revitalized Northwood Commons. While daytime visits and errands are generally safe, property crime and occasional violent incidents in surrounding corridors warrant basic urban caution, especially after dark.”
The redevelopment of Northwood Commons and expanded campus security initiatives from Morgan State have increased active foot and vehicle patrols along the Loch Raven Boulevard corridor.
About the area
New Northwood is a traditional residential neighborhood in Northeast Baltimore characterized by well-kept brick semi-detached homes and tree-lined streets. Sitting just north of Morgan State University, it offers convenient access to campus facilities and newly modernized retail hubs.
- Residential
- Collegiate
- Quiet
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in New Northwood
Walk score: 58/100 · Bike score: 46/100
Dedicated bike lanes are scarce on neighborhood arterial roads, though recreational cyclists can access the paved trails of the nearby Chinquapin Run Greenway.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Relatively stable homeownership rates and active neighborhood association engagement
- Convenient access to newly redeveloped retail and groceries at Northwood Commons
- Proximity to Morgan State University campus and safety infrastructure
- Quiet residential side streets with lower foot traffic than central Baltimore
Cons
- Elevated rates of vehicle theft and property crime compared to national figures
- Spillover crime risk along major thoroughfares late at night
- Limited sit-down independent dining and cultural attractions within the immediate boundaries
Homelessness: Visible homelessness and encampments are rare in the residential interior of New Northwood, though occasional panhandling occurs at commercial intersections along Loch Raven Boulevard.
What New Northwood is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Mornings are calm and safe as residents commute to work and students head toward campus.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Afternoons are active with shoppers around Northwood Commons and generally safe for casual walking.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Evenings are quiet in residential areas, though standard vigilance is advised in parking lots and bus stops.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Late nights carry elevated property and personal safety risks, making solo walking inadvisable.
Transit, parking and getting around
MTA Maryland provides service with CityLink Silver and LocalLink 28/36 running frequently along Loch Raven Boulevard. There is no direct rail station within walking distance, requiring a bus transfer to reach the Metro SubwayLink or Light Rail.
Street parking is largely free and readily accessible across residential streets with minimal restrictions. Northwood Commons offers a large, well-lit surface parking lot for patrons.
Things to do in New Northwood
- Browse the book collections and university gear at the modern Barnes & Noble at Morgan State
- Visit the nearby James E. Lewis Museum of Art on the Morgan State University campus
- Enjoy outdoor recreation and walking paths along the adjacent Chinquapin Run Park
Local favorites
- Barnes & Noble at Morgan State · Bookstore · 4.5★ (210)Modern university bookstore offering textbooks, Morgan State apparel, study spaces, and cafe drinks.
- Lidl · Grocery Store · 4.3★ (720)Modern anchor grocery store at Northwood Commons featuring fresh bakery items and affordable groceries.
- Tropical Smoothie Cafe · Juice Bar & Cafe · 4.2★ (145)Fast-casual cafe serving fruit smoothies, wraps, sandwiches, and flatbreads.
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.