Is Roslyn Hills safe?
Henrico, Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Roslyn Hills as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Roslyn Hills
“Go. Roslyn Hills is an affluent, peaceful residential pocket in Henrico County's Near West End with exceptionally low violent crime. While strictly suburban and residential, it offers a safe, family-friendly base close to popular dining and boutique shopping corridors along River Road and Patterson Avenue.”
About the area
Roslyn Hills is a quiet, tree-lined suburban community characterized by manicured single-family homes, mature foliage, and low traffic volume. Located just west of the Richmond city border near the University of Richmond, it provides easy access to the broader Richmond metropolitan area while maintaining a calm residential ambiance.
- Quiet Suburban
- Affluent
- Tree-Lined
- Family-Friendly
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Roslyn Hills
Walk score: 28/100 · Bike score: 38/100
No dedicated bike lanes exist inside the neighborhood, but interior streets have low traffic speeds suitable for casual riding; connection to regional trails like the Virginia Capital Trail requires driving.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly lower violent and property crime rates compared to the national average
- High household income levels, strong homeownership, and well-maintained properties
- Peaceful, shaded neighborhood streets with minimal cut-through traffic
- Close proximity to West End amenities and the University of Richmond campus
Cons
- Car-dependent with very few commercial amenities within immediate walking distance
- Lack of sidewalks on many interior residential streets
- Occasional opportunistic property crimes like unlocked vehicle tampering
- Limited public transit access serving the interior neighborhood
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is practically non-existent in Roslyn Hills, with no encampments or panhandling present in the immediate neighborhood.
What Roslyn Hills is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and serene, filled with residents walking dogs and joggers taking advantage of low-traffic streets.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and quiet with standard suburban delivery traffic and occasional landscaping crews.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet residential atmosphere with families returning home; safe and pleasant for an evening stroll.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very dark and tranquil with minimal lighting and virtually no pedestrian or vehicular activity.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is provided by GRTC, though routes primarily stay along major corridors like Patterson Avenue, requiring a drive or extended walk from interior residential streets.
Parking is exceptionally easy and free, with ample private driveways and unrestricted on-street residential parking throughout the neighborhood.
Things to do in Roslyn Hills
- Stroll or jog along the quiet, scenic residential roads beneath mature hardwood canopies
- Visit the nearby historic grounds and lake at the University of Richmond campus
- Browse the boutiques and specialty shops at the nearby River Road Shopping Center
Local favorites
- ShoreDog Cafe · Cafe & Eatery · 4.6★ (380)A cozy neighborhood spot nearby serving artisanal coffees, breakfast staples, and farm-fresh lunch fare.
- The Grill · American Restaurant · 4.4★ (610)A long-running neighborhood staple on Patterson Avenue serving classic American tavern fare in a relaxed setting.
- Stella's Grocery - Westhampton · Gourmet Market & Deli · 4.7★ (290)An upscale market offering prepared Greek specialties, wines, cheeses, and freshly baked pastries.
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.