Is Riverview safe?
Norfolk, Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Riverview as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on Riverview
“Go. Riverview is a charming, quiet historic neighborhood along the Lafayette River that is generally safe and peaceful to explore. While occasional property crime like vehicle break-ins occurs, basic situational awareness is all that is needed for a trouble-free visit.”
About the area
Riverview is an intimate, scenic waterfront community featuring early 20th-century bungalows, shady tree-lined streets, and access to the Lafayette River. Located just north of Norfolk's bustling urban core, it offers a tranquil residential vibe within easy reach of the North Colley dining corridor.
- Historic / Tree-Lined
- Quiet Waterfront
- Family-Friendly
- Residential
Walking and biking in Riverview
Walk score: 62/100 · Bike score: 72/100
The neighborhood's flat, low-traffic streets provide comfortable cycling and link south toward the Elizabeth River Trail via Colley Avenue and surrounding connectors.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Stable residential enclave with strong homeownership rates and well-maintained historic properties.
- Significantly lower violent crime rates compared to broader Norfolk citywide averages.
- Convenient access to local waterfront recreation, kayak launches, and the North Colley entertainment strip.
Cons
- Occasional property crime such as opportunistic vehicle break-ins and package theft.
- Proximity to higher-crime corridors to the south requires extra awareness along neighborhood borders.
- Low-lying waterfront streets are prone to nuisance flooding during high tides and heavy rain events.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal within Riverview's residential core. Individuals experiencing homelessness or panhandling are occasionally observed along the busier commercial stretches of nearby Granby Street.
What Riverview is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Calm and safe with residents walking dogs, jogging, and commuting along quiet riverfront avenues.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Pleasant and active, maintaining a relaxed and welcoming residential atmosphere throughout the day.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Generally quiet and safe, though street lighting can be somewhat dim on purely residential side streets.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very low foot traffic; visitors should stick to well-lit routes and ensure vehicles are locked.
Transit, parking and getting around
Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) provides regular bus service along nearby Granby Street and Colley Avenue via Routes 1 and 8. The nearest Tide light rail station is EVMS/Fort Norfolk, situated roughly two miles south.
Street parking is free and generally easy to find on residential avenues without permit restrictions. Businesses along adjacent commercial corridors offer free dedicated surface lots or curbside parking.
Things to do in Riverview
- Stroll through the shaded streets to admire historic 1910s–1920s Craftsman and Colonial Revival architecture.
- Launch a kayak or paddleboard into the Lafayette River for a scenic waterfront paddle.
- Walk across the bridge to visit the Virginia Zoo and the expansive grounds of Lafayette Park.
Local favorites
- Hank's Filling Station · Beer Garden & Grill · 4.5★ (1120)A lively dog-friendly patio bar offering craft beers, smoked barbecue, and outdoor lawn games.
- Elation Brewing · Brewery · 4.7★ (680)Popular neighborhood microbrewery serving classic European beers, IPAs, and wood-fired artisan pizza.
- The Dirty Buffalo · Chicken Wings Restaurant · 4.4★ (1950)Casual local favorite serving authentic Buffalo-style wings, specialty sauces, and loaded platters.
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.