Is SouthWood safe?
Tallahassee, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates SouthWood as “Go”.
Gogo's take on SouthWood
“Go. SouthWood is one of the safest and most affluent master-planned communities in Tallahassee, characterized by quiet streets, manicured green spaces, and negligible violent crime. Visitors can comfortably explore the central lake, golf club, and community trails with minimal safety concerns day or night.”
About the area
SouthWood is a peaceful, master-planned New Urbanist community located in southeast Tallahassee featuring Southern-style architecture and moss-draped live oaks. It centers around a 123-acre park system, golf course, and Town Center, catering primarily to families, state government professionals, and retirees.
- Master-Planned
- Family-Friendly
- Suburban / Peaceful
- Scenic & Green
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in SouthWood
Walk score: 34/100 · Bike score: 58/100
SouthWood features dedicated multi-use paved pathways and bike lanes that connect internally and link to regional routes toward the St. Marks Historic Railroad State Trail, though dockless bike-share is not active here.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly lower violent and property crime rates compared to Tallahassee citywide averages.
- Affluent economic foundation with median household incomes exceeding $95,000 and high rates of homeownership.
- Extensive, well-maintained network of lighted community trails, scenic lakes, and neighborhood parks.
Cons
- Suburban, car-dependent layout situated several miles southeast of central Tallahassee attractions.
- Occasional opportunistic property crimes such as unlocked vehicle break-ins typical of quiet suburbs.
- Town Center offers limited dining and retail options compared to urban Tallahassee districts.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in SouthWood due to its suburban residential design and distance from downtown Tallahassee social services.
What SouthWood is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Active with joggers, dog walkers, and commuters heading to the adjacent state office complex, feeling exceptionally safe.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and quiet with families enjoying neighborhood parks and golfers on the greens, maintaining a secure suburban feel.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Pleasant and moderately active around the Town Center and lakeside trails with regular neighborhood foot traffic.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very peaceful and virtually deserted with negligible pedestrian activity, remaining safe aside from standard suburban awareness.
Transit, parking and getting around
StarMetro provides bus service connecting through the nearby Southwood State Office Complex, though interior residential coverage is minimal and the metro lacks passenger rail.
Parking is completely free and widely available across surface lots at the Town Center, parks, and golf clubhouse, as well as on neighborhood residential streets.
Things to do in SouthWood
- Stroll, jog, or picnic around Central Park Lake along miles of paved multi-use paths.
- Play an 18-hole round of golf at the scenic SouthWood Golf Club designed by Fred Couples and Gene Bates.
- Visit the historic 1865 SouthWood Plantation House grounds framed by century-old live oaks.
Local favorites
- Canopy Road Cafe - Southwood · Breakfast & Brunch · 4.6★ (1150)Popular local diner serving decadent pancakes, breakfast skillets, and traditional Southern lunch favorites.
- SouthWood Golf Club · Golf Course & Clubhouse · 4.3★ (380)Acclaimed public 18-hole championship golf course featuring rolling terrain, live oaks, and a full-service restaurant.
- El Jalisco Southwood · Mexican Restaurant · 4.4★ (940)Lively neighborhood Mexican eatery offering sizzling fajitas, traditional combination plates, and margaritas.
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.