Is Renraw safe?
Nashville, Tennessee · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Renraw as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Renraw
“Go with care. Renraw is a transitioning residential pocket in Greater East Nashville that offers convenient proximity to popular dining corridors, though property crime and sporadic violence in adjacent commercial corridors warrant standard urban vigilance. Visitors staying in local short-term rentals will generally find it quiet during the day but should remain cautious after dark.”
Ongoing redevelopment along the nearby Dickerson Pike corridor continues to attract commercial investment, alongside periodic Metro Nashville Police initiatives addressing local vehicle break-ins and property crimes.
About the area
Renraw is a compact, predominantly residential neighborhood located just east of the Dickerson Pike corridor in Nashville. It features a mix of mid-century single-family homes and contemporary infill construction. While largely devoid of direct tourist attractions, it serves as a central residential base near East Nashville and downtown.
- Residential Pocket
- Transitioning
- Car-Dependent
- Quiet
Walking and biking in Renraw
Walk score: 44/100 · Bike score: 41/100
Dedicated bike lanes are sparse within the interior streets, and the nearest Nashville BCycle stations and Cumberland River Greenway access points require a short drive or ride south.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Convenient 10-minute drive to Downtown Nashville and popular East Nashville entertainment hubs
- Rising homeownership and steady property reinvestment modernizing the housing stock
- Quick vehicular access to major transit routes including Ellington Parkway and Interstate 65
Cons
- Property crime and vehicle theft rates remain higher than Davidson County suburban averages
- Immediate neighborhood lacks direct walkable dining and retail options
- Inconsistent sidewalk connectivity and limited street lighting on some residential blocks
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal within the interior residential streets, though unhoused individuals and occasional panhandling are common along the nearby Dickerson Pike commercial corridor.
What Renraw is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and low-key with residents walking pets and commuting toward downtown.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Standard suburban quiet with minimal foot traffic and light local vehicle movement.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Streets become very calm, though uneven street lighting requires extra awareness when walking.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Foot traffic drops off sharply; visitors should avoid walking alone and ensure vehicles are locked.
Transit, parking and getting around
WeGo Public Transit serves the perimeter via Route 23 along Dickerson Pike, providing direct bus connections to the WeGo Central transfer station downtown.
Street parking is free, plentiful, and unregulated throughout residential streets; garages and metered spaces are not present.
Things to do in Renraw
- Explore the evolving culinary and cafe scene along neighboring Dickerson Pike
- Enjoy outdoor sports, community facilities, and open green space at nearby Cleveland Park
- Take a short ride to Five Points for East Nashville's renowned live music, boutiques, and nightlife
Local favorites
- Retrograde Coffee · Coffee Shop · 4.7★ (480)A bright, relaxed neighborhood spot serving specialty espresso drinks, pastries, and light breakfast fare.
- Shugga Hi Bakery and Cafe · Southern Restaurant & Bakery · 4.5★ (460)A beloved local eatery offering hearty soul food favorites, brunch platters, and decadent homemade cakes.
- Folk · Modern Italian Restaurant · 4.6★ (790)A hip, nearby destination known for wood-fired pizzas, seasonal small plates, and natural wines.
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.