Is North Southeast Raleigh safe?
Raleigh, North Carolina · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates North Southeast Raleigh as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on North Southeast Raleigh
“Go with care. North Southeast Raleigh is a historic, evolving residential and commercial district with great local eateries and cultural spots, but it experiences higher rates of violent and property crime than the Raleigh metro average. Visitors should stick to well-trafficked commercial corridors, secure their belongings, and avoid poorly lit residential side streets late at night.”
City initiatives and targeted policing along the New Bern Avenue and Poole Road corridors have sought to address periodic reports of shots fired and property theft in recent years.
About the area
North Southeast Raleigh spans the transitional area just east of downtown, stretching along key thoroughfares like New Bern Avenue and Poole Road. It features a blend of historic African American neighborhoods, mid-century bungalows, and newer infill developments. The area offers cultural heritage, community parks, and diverse neighborhood dining spots while continuing to navigate urban revitalization.
- Transitional
- Historic
- Car-Dependent
- Diverse
Walking and biking in North Southeast Raleigh
Walk score: 48/100 · Bike score: 53/100
Cardinal Bikeshare stations are sparse here compared to downtown, but cyclists can access segments of the Capital Area Greenway system via nearby Crabtree Creek and Walnut Creek connections.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Convenient 5-to-10-minute access to Downtown Raleigh amenities and museums
- Rich African American cultural history with local community institutions
- Growing selection of modern entertainment and independent dining options along main corridors
- Proximity to the Capital Area Greenway system trails
Cons
- Violent and property crime rates remain elevated compared to the Wake County average
- Higher poverty rates and pockets of blighted or distressed rental housing
- Pedestrian infrastructure is inconsistent off major arterials with sparse street lighting on side streets
- Occasional reports of vehicle break-ins in commercial plazas and apartment parking lots
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is moderately present along main retail corridors like New Bern Avenue and near major bus stops, where occasional panhandling occurs. A few transitional housing services operate in adjacent east downtown districts.
What North Southeast Raleigh is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Active and generally peaceful with commuter traffic, school buses, and residents heading to work along the main avenues.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Bustling with shopping traffic at neighborhood plazas and active park spaces, feeling reasonably secure for visitors staying on main streets.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Commercial hubs like Alamo Drafthouse remain lively, but foot traffic thins out on residential side streets where increased vigilance is warranted.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet but higher risk; loitering increases near convenience stores and isolated corners, making solo nighttime walking not recommended.
Transit, parking and getting around
GoRaleigh operates frequent local bus routes (particularly Route 15 on Poole Rd and Route 10/15 along New Bern Ave). The New Bern Avenue corridor is also being upgraded with Raleigh's first Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line, connecting directly to downtown.
Free surface parking is widely available in strip mall plazas and commercial centers; residential street parking is generally free and unmetered, though visitors should lock cars and remove valuables.
Things to do in North Southeast Raleigh
- Catch an indie film or themed screening with dine-in service at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema
- Explore community sports, swimming, and historical programming at the Tarboro Road Community Center
- Walk or jog the nearby Crabtree Creek and Little Lick Creek greenway trail connections
Local favorites
- Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Raleigh · Movie Theater & Dine-in Bar · 4.6★ (3200)Popular cinema chain featuring first-run and indie movies alongside multi-tap draft beer and in-theater dining.
- Midwood Smokehouse · Barbecue Restaurant · 4.5★ (1850)Rustic, bustling eatery offering classic pit-smoked brisket, pork, and Southern comfort sides near New Bern Ave.
- Almadina Supermarket & Halal Meat · Middle Eastern Grocery & Bakery · 4.5★ (410)Beloved neighborhood market known for fresh pita, halal meats, and specialty Mediterranean staples.
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.