Is Parlin safe?
Sayreville, New Jersey · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Parlin as “Go”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Parlin
“Go. Parlin is a tranquil, low-crime suburban community in Middlesex County with virtually no safety concerns for visitors. Standard personal awareness is plenty for navigating its residential subdivisions and commercial corridors.”
About the area
Parlin is an established suburban enclave straddling the borders of Sayreville and Old Bridge Township. It features quiet residential streets, well-kept single-family homes and apartment complexes, and convenient shopping plazas along Route 9 and Washington Road.
- Suburban
- Family-Friendly
- Car-Dependent
- Peaceful
Walking and biking in Parlin
Walk score: 38/100 · Bike score: 34/100
There is no municipal bike-share system, and riding is generally best suited to quiet neighborhood side streets rather than the busier thoroughfares.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are consistently well below both state and national averages.
- Robust economic stability with median household incomes approaching $100,000 and poverty rates below 6%.
- High rates of owner-occupied housing and stable, well-maintained neighborhood infrastructure.
Cons
- Heavily car-dependent layout with fast-moving arterial roadways that are hazardous to pedestrians.
- Occasional property crimes such as vehicle break-ins in unmonitored commercial parking lots.
- Limited walkable commercial downtown core, requiring vehicle travel for most errands.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is practically non-existent in Parlin, with no encampments or persistent street panhandling.
What Parlin is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Calm and safe, with light neighborhood traffic from morning commuters and school buses.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Active and secure, with steady retail activity around shopping plazas and quiet residential avenues.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Peaceful and safe for evening strolls, though road corridors remain vehicle-heavy.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet and low-activity; neighborhood streets are peaceful, while arterial commercial zones wind down.
Transit, parking and getting around
NJ Transit operates express bus routes (including the 131, 138, and 139) connecting Parlin along Route 9 directly to Midtown Manhattan, while the nearest NJ Transit rail stops are the South Amboy and Aberdeen-Matawan stations roughly a 10-minute drive away.
Parking is exceptionally straightforward, with free private lots at nearly every business and plentiful, unmetered curbside parking along residential streets.
Things to do in Parlin
- Catch a live concert or touring act at the iconic Starland Ballroom nearby.
- Hike trails, fish, or camp in the neighboring Cheesequake State Park.
- Sample diverse suburban dining and classic New Jersey pizzerias along Route 9 and Washington Road.
Local favorites
- Starland Ballroom · Live Music Venue · 4.5★ (3200)Renowned regional concert hall hosting nationally touring rock, pop, and indie acts.
- Arirang Hibachi Steakhouse · Japanese Restaurant · 4.3★ (1550)Lively hibachi tables and fresh sushi bar popular for group dinners and celebrations.
- Nunzio's Kitchen · Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria · 4.6★ (410)Neighborhood staple known for thin-crust pizza, traditional pasta dishes, and warm service.
Neighborhoods near Parlin
Common questions about Parlin
Is Parlin safe to walk at night?
Generally yes — use the same awareness you would anywhere after dark.
Is Parlin a good place to live?
On safety, Parlin scores 85/100 — safer than most of the areas we score, which is a good start for anyone looking to live here.
How walkable is Parlin?
Walk score 38/100 and bike score 34/100. Most trips need a car.
Which areas near Parlin are safer?
Oxford Crossing (88) score higher nearby.
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