Is Oakland safe?
Charleston, South Carolina · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Oakland as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Oakland
“Go. Oakland is a tranquil, established Lowcountry residential community characterized by low violent crime rates, well-maintained homes, and quiet suburban streets. Visitors can comfortably explore the neighborhood with standard personal awareness, particularly during daylight hours.”
About the area
Oakland is a pleasant, mature suburban neighborhood in the Charleston area defined by tree-canopied streets, single-family homes, and convenient proximity to retail corridors. It offers a relaxed, community-oriented atmosphere removed from the heavy tourist congestion of the historic peninsula.
- Quiet Residential
- Tree-Lined Streets
- Family-Friendly
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Oakland
Walk score: 32/100 · Bike score: 41/100
No dedicated bike-share docks are present; interior streets are low-speed for recreational riding, but major perimeter thoroughfares lack continuous bike lanes.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly lower violent and property crime rates compared to broader regional averages
- High rates of homeownership and well-maintained single-family residential properties
- Peaceful, low-traffic neighborhood streets with mature oak trees and quiet surroundings
Cons
- Suburban street layout with limited dedicated pedestrian sidewalks on interior residential roads
- Highly car-dependent for dining, cultural attractions, and general daily errands
- Poor street lighting in certain interior residential cul-de-sacs at night
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence within the residential streets of Oakland, with only occasional individuals seen near major commercial highway intersections.
What Oakland is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with residents walking dogs and commuting, offering a safe and welcoming environment.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and quiet with minimal vehicle traffic through interior residential avenues.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet and tranquil as residents return home, remaining very safe for outdoor walks before dark.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely dark and sleepy with virtually no street foot traffic, remaining secure though situational awareness is advised.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transportation is operated by CARTA (Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority), primarily via Route 30 on nearby arterial corridors; service frequency is limited and a personal vehicle is recommended.
Ample free residential driveway and on-street parking throughout neighborhood roads, with easy complimentary surface lot parking at nearby commercial shopping centers.
Things to do in Oakland
- Take a quiet morning walk under the mature live oak canopy along residential neighborhood loops
- Visit nearby Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site to explore scenic marshland trails and wildlife habitats
- Browse local boutique shops and dining spots along the adjacent commercial parkways
Local favorites
- Boxcar Betty's · American Restaurant · 4.6★ (1650)Popular local counter-serve joint famous for award-winning gourmet fried chicken sandwiches and sides.
- Early Bird Diner · Diner · 4.6★ (3200)Beloved retro diner serving classic Southern breakfast plates, chicken and waffles, and daily specials.
- Mex 1 Coastal Cantina · Mexican Restaurant · 4.4★ (1420)Laid-back Baja-style cantina offering fresh street tacos, craft margaritas, and surf-inspired decor.
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.