Is South Macedonia 2 safe?
Raleigh, North Carolina · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates South Macedonia 2 as “Go”.
Gogo's take on South Macedonia 2
“Go. South Macedonia is a peaceful, upscale residential area in southwest Raleigh that is exceptionally safe for visitors. It is predominantly suburban and car-dependent, but violent crime is very rare and the community is stable and well-kept.”
About the area
South Macedonia is a quiet, tree-covered residential neighborhood located near the southwest edge of Raleigh bordering Cary. It is primarily made up of single-family homes, leafy subdivisions, and quiet feeder roads with easy access to major regional thoroughfares and county parks.
- Quiet Suburban
- Wooded & Green
- Family-Friendly
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in South Macedonia 2
Walk score: 18/100 · Bike score: 28/100
There are no bike-share kiosks in the neighborhood; recreational cyclists use connecting corridors to access the Capital Area Greenway System at Lake Johnson.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly lower violent and property crime rates than Raleigh city averages
- Strong economic indicators with high median household incomes and low poverty rates
- Well-maintained single-family properties with high rates of owner occupancy
Cons
- High dependence on vehicles with virtually no commercial core inside the neighborhood
- Limited pedestrian infrastructure such as sidewalks and streetlights on secondary roads
- Occasional isolated incidents of opportunistic vehicle break-ins common to suburban areas
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in South Macedonia, with supportive services and encampments situated further north in central Raleigh.
What South Macedonia 2 is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Quiet and safe with neighborhood joggers, dog walkers, and light commuter vehicle traffic.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and uneventful with very low street activity and safe surroundings.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Relaxed residential atmosphere as residents return home, maintaining high safety levels.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very dark and silent due to sparse municipal streetlights, but remains generally safe from crime.
Transit, parking and getting around
GoRaleigh operates local bus services in the region, but direct fixed routes do not penetrate this specific residential pocket, making personal vehicles essential.
Parking is completely free and effortless, consisting of private residential driveways and ample unrestricted curb space on neighborhood streets.
Things to do in South Macedonia 2
- Walk, jog, or kayak at nearby Lake Johnson Park just a short drive north
- Explore historic mill grounds and nature trails at Historic Yates Mill County Park
- Sample farm-fresh NC State ice cream at the nearby Howling Cow Creamery
Local favorites
- Howling Cow Dairy Education Center and Creamery · Ice Cream Shop · 4.8★ (2750)Renowned dairy bar serving NC State University-made ice cream on a scenic farm campus.
- Los Cuates Mexican Restaurant · Mexican Restaurant · 4.3★ (1420)Casual, enduring spot along the Tryon corridor offering traditional Mexican standards.
- Snoopy's Hot Dogs & More · Fast Food Restaurant · 4.2★ (980)Longtime local roadside chain famed for classic Carolina-style hot dogs and burgers.
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.