Is Scottsdale safe?
Portsmouth, Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Scottsdale as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Scottsdale
“Go with care. Scottsdale is primarily a modest, working-class residential subdivision rather than a tourist destination, with little reason for typical travelers to visit outside of visiting residents. While quieter than core urban sections of Portsmouth, the wider area contends with elevated property and violent crime rates typical of the municipality.”
Portsmouth police have maintained increased patrols across central and southern neighborhoods following citywide initiatives to curb gun violence and property theft.
About the area
Scottsdale is a mid-20th-century residential neighborhood in Portsmouth, Virginia, composed predominantly of single-family ranch-style homes and local street grids. Located just off major thoroughfares like George Washington Highway, it offers straightforward highway connectivity to the broader Hampton Roads region despite limited commercial attractions within the neighborhood itself.
- Residential Suburb
- Mid-Century Homes
- Car-Dependent
- Quiet
Walking and biking in Scottsdale
Walk score: 32/100 · Bike score: 41/100
Scottsdale lacks dedicated bike lanes and bike-share stations, though low-speed neighborhood streets are rideable; connection to regional routes like the Elizabeth River Trail requires driving to Norfolk.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Predominance of stable, owner-occupied single-family residential properties
- Quieter suburban street layout with significantly less through-traffic than main commercial corridors
- Convenient driving access to I-264, Norfolk Naval Shipyard, and neighboring Chesapeake
Cons
- Higher property crime risk (vehicle break-ins, package theft) compared to state and national averages
- Portsmouth overall exhibits elevated violent crime rates that impact surrounding districts
- Virtually no commercial or dining amenities within the neighborhood boundaries
- Car dependency with limited pedestrian-friendly infrastructure on perimeter roads
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal within the strictly residential streets of Scottsdale, though occasional panhandling occurs along major commercial intersections like George Washington Highway and Victory Boulevard.
What Scottsdale is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and quiet as residents commute to work, feeling generally safe for residential walks.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm residential atmosphere with occasional neighborhood foot traffic and delivery vehicles.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Subdued and mostly quiet, though caution is recommended along poorly lit residential side streets.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very low activity; walking around late is not recommended due to general citywide crime risks.
Transit, parking and getting around
Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) operates local bus routes along nearby George Washington Highway and Victory Boulevard (such as Route 45 and Route 57), though intervals are moderate and service to the Tide Light Rail requires crossing into Norfolk.
Parking is exceptionally easy and free, with plentiful private driveways and ample unmetered on-street parking along residential curbs.
Things to do in Scottsdale
- Explore local community recreation and open green space at nearby Cavalier Manor Park
- Take a short drive to the historic Portsmouth Olde Towne waterfront and Naval Shipyard Museum
- Play a round of golf at the nearby Biddle P.A.M.C. or Portsmouth Golf Course
Local favorites
- Roger Brown's Restaurant and Sports Bar · Sports Bar & Grill · 4.1★ (2340)Popular nearby sports hangout in Olde Towne Portsmouth serving hearty American comfort food and seafood.
- The Coffee Shoppe · Coffee Shop · 4.7★ (510)Cozy local independent cafe in historic Portsmouth offering espresso drinks, pastries, and lunch fare.
- Cutlass Grille · Jamaican & BBQ Restaurant · 4.6★ (1180)Acclaimed regional spot serving authentic Jamaican jerk meats and Southern barbecue specialties.
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.