Is Oxford Circle safe?
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Oxford Circle as “Caution”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Oxford Circle
“Go with care. Oxford Circle is a bustling, multicultural Lower Northeast neighborhood featuring excellent international dining, but it experiences above-average rates of property crime and occasional violent incidents. Visitors should remain alert, conduct visits primarily during daylight hours, and avoid wandering poorly lit side streets at night.”
About the area
Oxford Circle is a dense, historically working-class neighborhood in Northeast Philadelphia defined by brick rowhomes and active commercial corridors along Castor and Bustleton Avenues. The area serves as a major cultural melting pot, offering a rich variety of immigrant-owned restaurants, bakeries, and international grocers.
- Diverse
- Urban Residential
- Bustling Retail Corridors
- Car-Centric Arterials
Walking and biking in Oxford Circle
Walk score: 78/100 · Bike score: 55/100
The neighborhood lacks Indego bike-share stations and dedicated protected lanes; reaching the multi-use Pennypack Trail system requires navigating busy, car-dominated roadways.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Vibrant international culinary scene featuring authentic Brazilian, Caribbean, and Middle Eastern eateries
- Active commercial corridors providing convenient everyday retail and grocery access
- Moderate residential housing density with active community-level neighborhood associations
Cons
- Poverty rate hovering near 23% with below-average median household income
- Elevated risk of vehicle break-ins, auto theft, and opportunistic street robbery
- Heavy, high-speed traffic hazards along Roosevelt Boulevard and the circle itself
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal compared to Center City or Kensington, with occasional individuals asking for assistance near major intersections along Roosevelt Boulevard and transit stops.
What Oxford Circle is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Mornings are generally safe and active with residents heading to work and local shops opening up.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Afternoons are busy with pedestrian shoppers and transit riders along Castor Avenue, requiring standard urban awareness.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Evenings remain active around popular restaurants, though residential side streets quickly empty out and require heightened alertness.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Late nights see increased risks of street crime, vehicle theft, and disturbances; walking alone after dark is not advised.
Transit, parking and getting around
SEPTA serves Oxford Circle via numerous bus routes including the 1, 19, 24, and the Boulevard Direct (Route 14), linking to the Market-Frankford Line subway at Frankford Transportation Center approximately 1.5 miles south.
Street parking is mostly free throughout residential blocks but fills up quickly after work hours; commercial corridors feature metered street spaces and small dedicated plaza lots.
Things to do in Oxford Circle
- Sample international cuisine and specialty bakeries along the Castor Avenue commercial corridor
- Recreate or play sports at the Max Myers Playground and Recreation Center
- Shop for specialty imported ingredients and halal goods at neighborhood international markets
Local favorites
- Picanha Brazilian Grill · Brazilian Restaurant · 4.4★ (1420)Authentic rodizio-style steakhouse and buffet serving seasoned grilled meats and traditional sides.
- Al-Amana Market · Middle Eastern Grocery · 4.5★ (340)Longstanding neighborhood market offering fresh halal meats, imported pantry goods, and deli items.
- Tio Pepe Restaurant · Portuguese Restaurant · 4.3★ (430)Cozy dining room serving traditional Portuguese seafood dishes, steaks, and sangria.
Neighborhoods near Oxford Circle
Common questions about Oxford Circle
Is Oxford Circle safe to walk at night?
Take care after dark: stick to lit main streets or take a ride.
Is Oxford Circle a good place to live?
On safety, Oxford Circle scores 54/100 — below average, so visit at different times of day before deciding to move.
How walkable is Oxford Circle?
Walk score 78/100 and bike score 55/100. Most errands can be done on foot.
Which areas near Oxford Circle are safer?
Rhawnhurst (76), Burholme (74), Mayfair (Philadelphia) (67) score higher nearby.
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