Is Paces safe?
Atlanta, Georgia · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Paces as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Paces
“Go. Paces is one of the safest and most affluent residential enclaves in Atlanta, characterized by sprawling private estates and heavily wooded scenery. While it is completely devoid of bustling commercial nightlife, it offers visitors exceptional security, peace, and quiet.”
About the area
Paces is a prestigious, low-density neighborhood in western Buckhead bordered by the Chattahoochee River and historic estate corridors. The area is defined by rolling hills, grand architecture, elite private schools, and dense tree canopies.
- Affluent / Residential
- Wooded / Secluded
- Car-Dependent
- Quiet / Peaceful
Walking and biking in Paces
Walk score: 14/100 · Bike score: 18/100
There are no designated bike lanes or direct greenway connections inside the neighborhood, and steep terrain makes cycling suitable only for experienced road cyclists.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Extremely low violent and property crime rates with regular private security patrols.
- Exceptionally high median household income exceeding $200,000 and near-zero poverty.
- Tranquil natural environment bordering the Chattahoochee River.
Cons
- Almost entirely car-dependent with few sidewalks and narrow, winding roads.
- No central retail or pedestrian-oriented commercial district within the residential interior.
- Occasional opportunistic property crimes or vehicle break-ins targeting high-value properties.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is virtually non-existent in Paces due to its exclusively residential footprint and lack of commercial hubs or shelters.
What Paces is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Extremely safe and peaceful, though narrow roads without sidewalks require pedestrians to stay alert for cars.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Quiet and secure with light neighborhood traffic and school-related commuting.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and tranquil with minimal street activity outside of private estate entrances.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very dark and exceptionally safe, though winding unlit roads necessitate careful driving.
Transit, parking and getting around
MARTA bus routes serve peripheral thoroughfares like Howell Mill Road and Northside Parkway, but rail stations like Buckhead or Arts Center are a 10 to 15 minute drive away.
Street parking is restricted along most winding residential streets, but destination dining and private venues offer ample free or valet parking.
Things to do in Paces
- Walk the scenic riverside trails at the adjacent Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (Paces Mill unit).
- Take an architectural driving tour along historic West Paces Ferry Road.
- Dine waterside with river views at iconic establishments bordering the neighborhood.
Local favorites
- Canoe · Fine Dining · 4.7★ (4350)Celebrated riverfront restaurant offering farm-to-table American cuisine and manicured gardens.
- Local Three Kitchen & Bar · American Restaurant · 4.6★ (2150)Hidden gem focused on seasonal comfort fare, whiskey, and relaxed upscale hospitality.
- OK Cafe · Southern Diner · 4.5★ (3650)Beloved long-standing diner serving traditional Southern comfort staples near West Paces Ferry.
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.