Is Parkwood safe?
Chesapeake, Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Parkwood as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on Parkwood
“Go. Parkwood is a calm, established residential neighborhood in northern Chesapeake with low overall violent crime and a stable community feel. While commercial amenities within the neighborhood boundaries are minimal, the residential streets are generally peaceful and secure for residents and visitors alike.”
About the area
Parkwood is a classic mid-century suburban neighborhood characterized by single-family ranch homes, mature trees, and quiet residential streets. Located near major thoroughfares in Chesapeake, it serves primarily as a commuter community close to regional naval and industrial employment centers.
- Quiet Residential
- Car-Dependent
- Established Suburb
- Family-Friendly
Walking and biking in Parkwood
Walk score: 34/100 · Bike score: 42/100
There is no municipal bike-share system in this area, but local streets have low traffic volumes suitable for neighborhood cycling, connecting to the off-road trails at Indian River Park.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Predominantly single-family homeownership fostering neighborhood stability and low turnover
- Violent crime rates remain significantly lower than neighboring urban centers in Hampton Roads
- Close access to major regional corridors including I-64 and Military Highway for commuting
Cons
- Isolated incidents of opportunistic property crime and vehicle break-ins typical of suburban corridors
- Aging mid-20th-century infrastructure with limited sidewalk connectivity on residential blocks
- Heavy reliance on private vehicles for daily errands and dining
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a factor within the interior residential streets of Parkwood, though occasional individuals panhandling may be observed near major arterial intersections along Military Highway.
What Parkwood is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and safe, with light local traffic from commuters heading out and residents walking dogs.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Very quiet and secure, with minimal vehicular activity beyond delivery vans and returning school buses.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm residential atmosphere where outdoor lighting provides adequate visibility for casual walks.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Generally quiet and undisturbed, though unlit side streets warrant normal situational awareness.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is operated by Hampton Roads Transit (HRT), with bus routes running primarily along exterior arterials like Military Highway and Indian River Road; there is no direct light rail access in Chesapeake.
Street parking is free and readily available throughout residential streets, with most homes featuring private driveways and no metered zones or parking garages.
Things to do in Parkwood
- Explore the wooded nature paths and single-track biking trails at nearby Indian River Park
- Take a short drive to the South Norfolk Historic District to view preserved early-20th-century architecture
- Sample diverse authentic dining along the surrounding Military Highway commercial corridor
Local favorites
- Cutlass Grille · Jamaican Restaurant · 4.6★ (1050)Popular local eatery serving jerk chicken, oxtail, and classic Caribbean-barbecue fusion dishes.
- The Cutting Edge Cafe · Sandwich Shop & Cafe · 4.7★ (610)Scratch-kitchen lunch counter known for artisan sandwiches, fresh salads, and house-made baked goods.
- Daikichi Japanese Bistro · Japanese Restaurant · 4.5★ (780)Long-running neighborhood favorite offering classic sushi rolls, bento boxes, and noodle dishes.
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.