Is Pine Forest safe?
Jacksonville, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Pine Forest as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Pine Forest
“Go with care. Pine Forest is primarily an established mid-century residential and light commercial neighborhood in Jacksonville's Southside area. While the interior residential streets are relatively calm, commercial arteries like Philips Highway and Emerson Street experience elevated property crime and sporadic violent incidents.”
Recent local coverage in the broader Southside/Philips Highway corridor has focused on routine law enforcement initiatives addressing vehicular theft and transient-related property incidents.
About the area
Pine Forest is a suburban-style neighborhood situated just south of Downtown Jacksonville along key transport corridors. It offers a mix of modest single-family homes, apartment complexes, and neighborhood service businesses. Visitors generally pass through for local dining or community sports facilities rather than major tourism.
- Suburban Mix
- Car-Dependent
- Working-Class
- Tree-Lined Streets
Walking and biking in Pine Forest
Walk score: 44/100 · Bike score: 48/100
There are no dedicated city bike-share stations; biking is feasible on quiet residential streets, but major arterials lack protected bike lanes.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Residential interior streets maintain stable long-term homeownership
- Convenient driving access to Interstate 95 and Downtown Jacksonville
- Moderate cost of living with decent neighborhood parks and community amenities
- Lower violent crime rates compared to northern and western Jacksonville districts
Cons
- Elevated property crime and auto theft along adjacent Philips Highway corridor
- Pockets of aging rental housing and lower median household income
- Pedestrian infrastructure lacks continuous sidewalks and adequate street lighting
- Sporadic nighttime disturbances near major commercial intersections
Homelessness: Visible homelessness and panhandling are concentrated primarily along commercial strips near Philips Highway and Emerson Street, while residential blocks see minimal presence.
What Pine Forest is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with commuters heading out and residents walking pets along neighborhood streets.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Generally quiet residential atmosphere, though commercial corridors see heavier auto traffic and standard commercial activity.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Residential blocks quiet down quickly, while fast-food and commercial plazas near main roads become busy.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Commercial thoroughfares and motel clusters near Philips Hwy require heightened awareness due to property crime and lingering foot traffic.
Transit, parking and getting around
Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) operates regular bus routes (such as Route 17 and Route 25) along Emerson Street and St. Augustine Road, but service frequencies are limited and there is no rail transit.
Free and ample parking is readily available in surface lots at all commercial businesses and along residential street curbs.
Things to do in Pine Forest
- Play basketball, tennis, or walk the open fields at Pine Forest Park and Community Center
- Explore authentic Latin American cuisine along nearby St. Augustine Road and Philips Highway
- Visit neighboring Cuba Hunter Park for its multi-use trails, skate park, and playground
Local favorites
- 1928 Cuban Bistro · Cuban Restaurant · 4.7★ (850)Popular local cafe serving authentic Cuban sandwiches, pastries, and strong espresso.
- Habibi Bar and Cafe · Middle Eastern Restaurant · 4.4★ (320)Relaxed eatery offering classic shawarma, falafel platters, and hookah on the patio.
- Pine Forest Community Center · Recreation Center · 4.3★ (95)City-operated facility featuring indoor activity rooms, sports courts, and youth programs.
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.