Is Reedtown safe?
Virginia Beach, Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Reedtown as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Reedtown
“Go. Reedtown is a historically rich, quiet residential enclave situated just south of the Shore Drive corridor. While it is purely residential with few commercial visitor amenities inside the neighborhood boundaries, it is generally safe, peaceful, and close to popular coastal destinations.”
About the area
Reedtown is an established, historic African American neighborhood in northern Virginia Beach tucked between Pleasure House Road and the Lynnhaven River basin. Visitors will find modest single-family homes, leafy residential streets, and easy proximity to the Chesapeake Bay beaches and local seafood restaurants along Shore Drive.
- Quiet Residential
- Historic Community
- Car-Dependent
- Coastal Suburb
Walking and biking in Reedtown
Walk score: 38/100 · Bike score: 48/100
While dedicated bike lanes are limited within Reedtown, cyclists can access the Shore Drive corridor paths and multi-use trails at nearby Bayville Farms Park and Pleasure House Point; no municipal bike-share stations are present.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Low violent crime rate consistent with northern Virginia Beach residential corridors
- Close proximity to the outdoor recreation of Pleasure House Point Natural Area and Chesapeake Bay beaches
- Quiet, low-traffic neighborhood streets with a strong sense of community history
- High rates of vehicle access and stable homeownership
Cons
- Occasional opportunistic property crimes such as vehicle break-ins along border roads
- Limited pedestrian infrastructure with missing sidewalks on some interior streets
- Susceptible to localized flooding and high water during heavy storms and coastal weather events
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence within Reedtown itself, though occasional individuals may be seen near major retail plazas along Shore Drive or Northampton Boulevard.
What Reedtown is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and calm as residents commute and walk dogs through quiet residential lanes.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Very quiet with low vehicle traffic, feeling safe and relaxed for a walk or drive.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Streets settle down quickly with minimal activity aside from residents returning home.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet and dark due to sparse street lighting, but generally safe with negligible late-night foot traffic.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is provided by Hampton Roads Transit (HRT), with Route 36 operating along nearby Independence Boulevard and Shore Drive corridors. There is no light rail access in this area, making a personal vehicle essential for most travel.
Parking is abundant and hassle-free, with private driveways and unrestricted, free on-street parking throughout the neighborhood's residential streets.
Things to do in Reedtown
- Take a nature walk and birdwatch along the trails of the nearby Pleasure House Point Natural Area
- Learn about local coastal ecosystems with a visit to the nearby Brock Environmental Center
- Head north across Shore Drive for a relaxed beach day along the calm waters of Chic's Beach
Local favorites
- Taste Unlimited (Bayville) · Gourmet Deli & Specialty Market · 4.6★ (420)Popular local market offering signature sandwiches, house-made sauces, and specialty pantry goods just west of Reedtown.
- CP Shuckers Cafe & Raw Bar · Seafood Restaurant & Raw Bar · 4.4★ (1150)Laid-back neighborhood tavern serving fresh oysters, seafood baskets, and cold beer on Shore Drive.
- Bayville Farms Park · City Park · 4.6★ (980)Sprawling public park offering disc golf, tennis courts, a dog park, and shaded picnic areas.
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.