Is Penderlan safe?
Fairfax, Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Penderlan as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Penderlan
“Go. Penderlan is an exceptionally safe and affluent suburban residential enclave in Fairfax County with negligible violent crime rates. Visitors can comfortably explore the quiet streets, golf facilities, and nearby retail hubs with total peace of mind.”
About the area
Penderlan is a peaceful, established suburban neighborhood nestled near the Fair Oaks and Fair Lakes areas in Fairfax, Virginia. Characterized by well-kept townhomes, single-family residences, and tree-lined roadways, it serves as a serene home base near major regional transit arteries.
- Suburban Quiet
- Family-Friendly
- Tree-Lined
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Penderlan
Walk score: 35/100 · Bike score: 42/100
Capital Bikeshare docks are limited in the immediate vicinity, but quiet residential lanes connect easily to regional park connectors and multi-use path networks.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Extremely low rates of violent and serious property crime compared to national averages.
- Affluent local economy backed by high median incomes and stable homeownership.
- Immediate driving proximity to major shopping, dining, and recreational destinations.
Cons
- Heavily car-dependent layout with poor walkability to daily commercial amenities.
- Occasional opportunistic property crimes such as unlocked vehicle tampering.
- Significant vehicular congestion on bordering commuter arteries during rush hour periods.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in Penderlan, with no encampments or panhandling observed in the residential core.
What Penderlan is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Calm and peaceful as residents jog, walk dogs, and begin their morning commutes on open residential streets.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Quiet and low-traffic throughout the neighborhood, presenting safe and pleasant conditions for daytime strolls.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- A relaxed suburban ambiance with families walking and residents returning home, remaining thoroughly safe.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very quiet and deserted with low ambient noise; well-lit residential streets feel secure, though pedestrian activity is rare.
Transit, parking and getting around
Fairfax Connector buses serve the perimeter corridors, offering direct connections to the Vienna/Fairfax-GMU Metrorail Station on the Orange Line, situated about 5 miles east.
Parking is universally accessible and free, with plentiful private driveways, designated townhouse bays, and ample unmetered curbside spaces.
Things to do in Penderlan
- Book a tee time at the adjacent Penderbrook Golf Club.
- Shop, dine, or catch a movie at the nearby Fair Oaks Mall.
- Take a relaxing walk through the neighborhood's quiet streets and connected community greenways.
Local favorites
- Penderbrook Golf Club · Public Golf Course · 4.1★ (430)Scenic 18-hole championship public golf course featuring rolling greens, a driving range, and a clubhouse grill.
- Ozzie's Good Eats · American Restaurant · 4.5★ (2210)Bustling nearby gathering spot offering wood-fired pizzas, hearty pasta dishes, and contemporary American comfort classics.
- Maru Korean Cuisine & BBQ · Korean Restaurant · 4.4★ (490)Unassuming local eatery dishing out authentic Korean barbecue, hot stone bibimbap, and traditional stews.
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.