Is Southwest Ridgewood safe?
Ridgewood, New Jersey · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Southwest Ridgewood as “Go”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Southwest Ridgewood
“Go. Southwest Ridgewood is an exceptionally safe, affluent suburban neighborhood featuring virtually negligible violent crime and immaculate residential streets. Visitors will experience a peaceful, welcoming atmosphere whether walking through quiet tree-lined avenues or visiting local parks.”
About the area
Southwest Ridgewood is a charming, high-end residential neighborhood characterized by well-kept mid-century and colonial single-family homes, mature trees, and community parks. Situated just minutes southwest of Ridgewood's vibrant downtown, it offers a tranquil retreat with top-tier community safety.
- Affluent Suburban
- Family-Friendly
- Tree-Lined & Quiet
- Safe & Residential
Walking and biking in Southwest Ridgewood
Walk score: 42/100 · Bike score: 51/100
There is no public bike-share program, but residential streets are low-speed and comfortable for road cyclists, with connections leading toward the popular Saddle River County Park paved multi-use trail system.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Extremely low violent and property crime rates ranking among the safest municipalities in the state
- Exceptional socioeconomic stability with median household incomes well exceeding $200,000
- Manicured, low-traffic neighborhood streets with easy access to pristine local parks like Habernickel Park
Cons
- Primarily car-dependent for shopping, dining, and daily errands
- Suburban overnight street parking restrictions require off-street driveway parking
- Occasional opportunistic thefts from unlocked vehicles left in residential driveways
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is essentially non-existent in Southwest Ridgewood. Bergen County homeless support and shelter services are located in larger regional urban centers like Hackensack.
What Southwest Ridgewood is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Active and exceptionally safe, filled with morning runners, dog walkers, and families heading to local schools.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Serene and peaceful with children playing in yards and virtually zero safety concerns.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm residential atmosphere as residents return home, perfectly safe for evening walks.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet and dark with very little vehicle or foot traffic; exceptionally safe, though some residential side streets have minimal street lighting.
Transit, parking and getting around
NJ Transit operates the Ridgewood Station on the Main/Bergen County Line approximately 1 to 1.5 miles northeast, providing direct rail service to Hoboken and easy connections to Midtown Manhattan. Local NJ Transit bus routes like the 164 and 752 also operate nearby.
Driveways and residential street parking are plentiful and easy during daylight hours, though Ridgewood prohibits overnight on-street parking without a permit. Nearby downtown commercial zones offer metered street spots and municipal lots payable via the ParkMobile app.
Things to do in Southwest Ridgewood
- Stroll the walking paths and enjoy birdwatching around the pond at Irene Habernickel Family Park
- Take an easy family bike ride through quiet, scenic neighborhood streets toward Kings Pond Park
- Head five minutes northeast into Downtown Ridgewood to browse local boutiques and specialty food shops
Local favorites
- Raymond's · American Restaurant · 4.5★ (1850)Beloved retro-style diner serving gourmet comfort food, brunch classics, and specialty coffee.
- S. Egidio Pizza e Caffé · Pizza Restaurant · 4.6★ (520)Intimate eatery serving authentic Neapolitan-style wood-fired pizzas, cured meats, and espresso.
- Pierre & Michel French Bakery · Bakery · 4.5★ (380)Authentic French patisserie offering fresh croissants, macarons, quiches, and artisanal breads.
Neighborhoods near Southwest Ridgewood
Common questions about Southwest Ridgewood
Is Southwest Ridgewood safe to walk at night?
Generally yes — use the same awareness you would anywhere after dark.
Is Southwest Ridgewood a good place to live?
On safety, Southwest Ridgewood scores 94/100 — safer than most of the areas we score, which is a good start for anyone looking to live here.
How walkable is Southwest Ridgewood?
Walk score 42/100 and bike score 51/100. Most trips need a car.
Which areas near Southwest Ridgewood are safer?
Northwest Ridgewood (95), Glen Rock (95), Southeast Ridgewood (95) score higher nearby.
Add this score to your site
Writing about Southwest Ridgewood? Copy this code to show its live safety score on your blog or listing.