Is Oakwood safe?
Arlington, Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Oakwood as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Oakwood
“Go. Oakwood is an exceptionally peaceful and secure residential pocket in North Arlington. Visitors will find manicured tree-lined streets, negligible violent crime rates, and easy access to regional paved trails and neighborhood dining.”
About the area
Oakwood is a quiet, leafy residential enclave in North Arlington characterized by well-kept single-family homes, townhomes, and mature tree canopy. It provides a relaxed suburban atmosphere while remaining minutes from Langston Boulevard and the greater D.C. metropolitan area.
- Quiet & Residential
- Tree-Lined
- Family-Friendly
- Suburban Feel
Walking and biking in Oakwood
Walk score: 52/100 · Bike score: 68/100
Capital Bikeshare stations are positioned along Langston Boulevard, providing swift access to the Custis Trail for direct cycling into Washington, D.C.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Exceptionally low rates of violent crime and low overall property crime
- Affluent neighborhood with strong homeownership and meticulously maintained properties
- Seamless connection to regional paved multi-use paths including the Custis Trail
Cons
- Limited commercial activity within the interior residential blocks
- Moderate walkability requiring a short drive or bike ride for most daily errands
- Occasional opportunistic vehicle break-ins typical of affluent suburbs
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is practically nonexistent within the residential streets of Oakwood, with no encampments present in the area.
What Oakwood is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with dog walkers, runners, and school-bound families on quiet streets.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Very calm with light local traffic and excellent pedestrian safety along sidewalks.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet residential winding down with residents returning home and low street noise.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely dark and quiet with virtually zero foot traffic; remains very safe to navigate.
Transit, parking and getting around
Arlington Transit (ART Route 55) and WMATA Metrobus routes serve nearby Langston Boulevard. The nearest Metrorail stations are Ballston-MU and Virginia Square (Orange/Silver lines), located about 1.5 to 2 miles south.
Residential street parking is readily available and free, though some streets have weekday permit restrictions. Commercial strips nearby have free customer surface parking lots.
Things to do in Oakwood
- Bicycle or jog along the paved Custis Trail connecting to Rosslyn and D.C.
- Relax and explore the wooded pathways of nearby Thrifton Hill Park
- Sample European bakeries and casual eateries along the Langston Boulevard corridor
Local favorites
- Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe · Bakery · 4.7★ (2400)Long-standing German bakery and deli offering traditional European pastries, pretzels, and cakes.
- Metro 29 Diner · Diner · 4.4★ (3200)Famous retro-style diner known for massive portions, scratch-made baked goods, and challah French toast.
- Gaijin Ramen Shop · Ramen Restaurant · 4.5★ (750)Cozy neighborhood Japanese eatery serving hearty noodle bowls and flavorful small plates.
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.