Is Sherwood Forest safe?
Charleston, South Carolina · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Sherwood Forest as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Sherwood Forest
“Go. Sherwood Forest is a peaceful, well-established residential enclave in inner West Ashley with low crime and a neighborly atmosphere. Visitors seeking quiet lodging or visiting nearby historic landmarks will find it very safe at all hours.”
About the area
Sherwood Forest is a classic mid-century suburban neighborhood in Charleston's West Ashley area, characterized by mature live oaks, brick ranch homes, and tidy yards. Positioned right near the birthplace of the Carolina colony at Charles Towne Landing, it provides a calm residential retreat just minutes from historic downtown Charleston.
- Quiet Suburb
- Family-Friendly
- Tree-Lined
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Sherwood Forest
Walk score: 34/100 · Bike score: 52/100
While Sherwood Forest has no dedicated bike lanes, the low-speed residential streets are bike-friendly, and riders can connect to the West Ashley Bikeway and Greenway located a short distance south.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly lower violent and property crime rates compared to national and regional averages
- High homeownership rate and stable residential community with well-maintained properties
- Immediate proximity to Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site and Old Towne Creek County Park
Cons
- Suburban layout makes the neighborhood largely car-dependent for dining, shopping, and entertainment
- Occasional opportunistic property crimes like unlocked vehicle larcenies common across the metro area
- Interior neighborhood streets often lack dedicated sidewalks and street lighting
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence within Sherwood Forest, though occasional unhoused individuals may be seen near major retail corridors and bus stops along Sam Rittenberg Boulevard and Savannah Highway.
What Sherwood Forest is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with residents walking dogs and jogging through the quiet, shaded streets.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and safe with light local traffic and standard suburban daytime activity.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet residential ambiance as neighbors return home; very safe for evening strolls.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely dark and quiet with virtually no foot traffic; safe, though limited street lighting requires extra situational awareness.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is provided by CARTA (Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority), with Route 33 and Route 30 running along nearby primary thoroughfares like St. Andrews Boulevard, though service is infrequent and not directly routed through neighborhood streets.
Parking is abundant and hassle-free, with virtually all residences having private driveways and unrestricted, free street parking available throughout the neighborhood.
Things to do in Sherwood Forest
- Explore the 1670 settlement site, replica ship Adventure, and Animal Forest zoo at adjacent Charles Towne Landing
- Take a peaceful walk or run through the shaded, low-traffic residential streets beneath moss-draped live oaks
- Enjoy casual local dining along the nearby St. Andrews Boulevard and Savannah Highway commercial corridors
Local favorites
- Three Little Birds Cafe · Breakfast & Brunch Restaurant · 4.6★ (1250)A cozy, colorful neighborhood cafe serving hearty breakfast fare, benedicts, and fresh smoothies.
- Gene's Haufbrau · Pub / Bar · 4.6★ (980)Charleston's oldest neighborhood pub offering an extensive beer selection and classic bar bites nearby in Avondale.
- Bearcat · Modern American Restaurant · 4.8★ (230)An acclaimed neighborhood eatery serving creative, seasonal tasting and à la carte menus.
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.