Is North Lawrence safe?
Hempstead, New York · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates North Lawrence as “Go, stay aware”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on North Lawrence
“Go. North Lawrence is a stable, quiet suburban enclave that is generally very safe for visitors. While commercial retail corridors along Rockaway Turnpike experience routine property crime, residential streets remain calm and peaceful.”
About the area
North Lawrence is a small hamlet in the Town of Hempstead, positioned between the Queens border and the affluent Five Towns area of Long Island. The neighborhood consists of residential streets mixed with major commercial strip centers serving the broader South Shore and airport corridor.
- Suburban
- Commercial Hub
- Quiet Residential
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in North Lawrence
Walk score: 58/100 · Bike score: 46/100
Dedicated bike infrastructure is minimal, and high-traffic thoroughfares like Rockaway Turnpike are not cyclist-friendly, though quiet residential streets allow for casual neighborhood riding.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly lower violent crime rates compared to national and NYC metro averages
- Close proximity to extensive shopping plazas and grocery options along Rockaway Turnpike
- Well-maintained single-family residential blocks with steady homeownership
- Direct roadway and transit access to Queens, JFK Airport, and Atlantic Ocean beaches
Cons
- Occasional retail theft and vehicle break-ins centered in large shopping plaza parking lots
- Heavy vehicular congestion and noise along the Rockaway Turnpike and Nassau Expressway corridors
- Limited walkable village center identity, functioning primarily as a driving hamlet
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a prominent feature in North Lawrence, though occasional individuals may be seen near bus stops along major transit corridors bordering Queens.
What North Lawrence is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and safe, with commuters heading to nearby rail stations and local school traffic moving through residential streets.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Busy and energetic along retail corridors with shoppers, while residential areas remain quiet and secure.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm throughout the neighborhoods, though strip mall parking areas see consistent vehicle turnover.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet and low-activity; walking along main commercial roads requires basic situational awareness, but residential blocks are safe.
Transit, parking and getting around
Nassau Inter-County Express (NICE) operates the n31 and n32 bus routes through the area, with Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) access available nearby at the Lawrence or Inwood stations on the Far Rockaway Branch.
Parking is straightforward, with free street parking readily available in residential zones and abundant free surface lot parking across commercial centers.
Things to do in North Lawrence
- Shop and dine at the Five Towns Shopping Center along Rockaway Turnpike
- Tour the historic 18th-century Rock Hall Museum located just minutes south in Lawrence
- Enjoy outdoor sports, golf, and waterfront walking paths at nearby North Woodmere Park
Local favorites
- Crave NY · Kosher Fast Casual · 4.4★ (380)Popular local spot serving gourmet burgers, sandwiches, and smoked barbecue meats.
- Bagel Boss Lawrence · Bagel Shop · 4.2★ (520)Longstanding counter-serve staple for fresh New York bagels, spreads, and deli sandwiches.
- Wok Tov · Kosher Chinese Restaurant · 4.1★ (290)Classic kosher Asian cuisine featuring traditional noodle and stir-fry dishes.
Neighborhoods near North Lawrence
Common questions about North Lawrence
Is North Lawrence safe to walk at night?
Mostly, on the busier, well-lit streets. Avoid empty side streets late at night.
Is North Lawrence a good place to live?
On safety, North Lawrence scores 78/100 — about average for the metro — most residents get by with normal city awareness.
How walkable is North Lawrence?
Walk score 58/100 and bike score 46/100. Some errands can be done on foot.
Which areas near North Lawrence are safer?
Woodsburgh (94), Atlantic Beach (91), North Woodmere (90) score higher nearby.
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