Is Notch Cliff safe?
Perry Hall, Maryland · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Notch Cliff as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Notch Cliff
“Go. Notch Cliff is an exceptionally quiet, safe, and affluent semi-rural and suburban pocket of Baltimore County. Violent crime is rare, making it very secure for residents and visitors alike.”
About the area
Notch Cliff is a scenic, residential community located along the transition between suburban Perry Hall and the rolling countryside of Glen Arm. Dominated by single-family homes, mature tree canopies, and nearby parks, it offers a peaceful rural-suburban retreat just northeast of Baltimore.
- Suburban
- Semi-Rural
- Quiet / Low-Key
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Notch Cliff
Walk score: 14/100 · Bike score: 22/100
There are no bike-share stations, and local roads lack dedicated bike lanes, though the Gunpowder Falls State Park trail network is accessible within a short driving or cycling distance.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly lower violent and property crime rates compared to Baltimore County and state averages
- High median household incomes exceeding $115,000 with very low poverty levels under 4%
- Well-maintained, high-homeownership residential properties on spacious lots
Cons
- Heavily car-dependent with almost no commercial amenities within walking distance
- Narrow, winding semi-rural roads with limited street lighting at night
- Isolated residential setting requiring travel to Belair Road or White Marsh for dining and retail
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in this quiet, semi-rural residential community.
What Notch Cliff is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and quiet, with minimal traffic aside from local commuters departing along Harford Road.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Very safe and calm with occasional dog walkers and landscape crews tending to large lots.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet residential setting that settles down early, safe for an evening stroll though streetlights are sparse.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely low-traffic and very safe from crime, though darkness and wildlife make nighttime driving cautious.
Transit, parking and getting around
MTA Maryland operates commuter bus routes along nearby Harford Road and Belair Road corridors, but there is no direct fixed-route transit or rail station within Notch Cliff itself.
Ample, free private driveway and residential street parking is readily available throughout the neighborhood, with no metered zones or parking garages.
Things to do in Notch Cliff
- Explore the nearby nature trails and riverbanks along the Gunpowder Falls State Park
- Pick up fresh local produce and baked goods at Weber's Cider Mill Farm nearby
- Enjoy a relaxing scenic drive through the historic Glen Arm and Long Green Valley countryside
Local favorites
- Weber's Cider Mill Farm · Farm Market & Bakery · 4.6★ (2350)Beloved local farm market known for fresh cider, baked pies, seasonal produce, and family events.
- The Gunpowder Lodge · American Restaurant & Tavern · 4.4★ (1820)Rustic, historic tavern offering craft beers, crab cakes, and classic pub fare near the river.
- DePaula's Italian Diner · Italian Restaurant · 4.5★ (410)Cozy family-run eatery serving generous portions of homemade pastas, subs, and pizza.
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.