Is Sunnyside safe?
Nashville, Tennessee · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Sunnyside as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Sunnyside
“Go. Sunnyside is an exceptionally charming, safe, and desirable residential pocket centered around historic Sevier Park. Visitors can comfortably stroll the quiet residential streets and adjacent 12 South commercial corridor during day and evening hours with standard urban awareness.”
The historic Sunnyside mansion in Sevier Park recently completed extensive municipal preservation and renovation work to house the Metro Historical Commission.
About the area
Sunnyside is a leafy, historic neighborhood in South Nashville nestled alongside the lively 12 South district and anchored by Sevier Park. It features restored early 20th-century bungalows, mature trees, and easy access to top-tier dining, boutique shopping, and park amenities.
- Historic / Tree-Lined
- Family-Friendly
- Walkable Dining Hub
- Relaxed
Walking and biking in Sunnyside
Walk score: 74/100 · Bike score: 68/100
Nashville BCycle docking stations are located at Sevier Park, offering easy connectivity to nearby Belmont University and local neighborhood greenway routes.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Low violent crime rate well below Nashville citywide averages
- High median household income and exceptionally well-maintained housing stock
- Direct pedestrian access to Sevier Park and the bustling 12 South retail strip
- Strong neighborhood watch and heavy daylight pedestrian activity
Cons
- Occasional opportunistic property theft and vehicle break-ins along park borders
- Heavy vehicular and pedestrian congestion during weekend events
- Limited public transit frequency compared to major metropolitan centers
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal in Sunnyside, with occasional individuals passing through the park or along transit corridors, but no established encampments.
What Sunnyside is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Pleasant and active with neighborhood joggers, dog walkers, and coffee seekers enjoying safe, quiet streets.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Vibrant and bustling with families in Sevier Park and shoppers along adjacent 12th Avenue South.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Comfortable and well-lit around commercial edges as dinner crowds gather, feeling very secure to walk.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet and peaceful residential streets with light foot traffic; standard baseline awareness is sufficient.
Transit, parking and getting around
WeGo Public Transit serves the neighborhood via Route 17 (12th Avenue South), providing direct bus connections to downtown Nashville without any rapid rail options.
Free residential street parking is common but can be tight near the park on weekends; paid surface lots along 12th Ave South generally run $5 to $15.
Things to do in Sunnyside
- Tour the historic Sunnyside Mansion grounds and community center inside Sevier Park
- Browse local produce and artisanal goods at the seasonal 12 South Farmers Market
- Stroll the surrounding tree-lined avenues to shop independent boutiques and vintage stores
Local favorites
- Frothy Monkey · Coffee Shop / Cafe · 4.6★ (3200)A staple neighborhood coffeehouse serving specialty espresso, wholesome breakfast, and casual fare in a converted bungalow.
- Edley's Bar-B-Que · Barbecue Restaurant · 4.6★ (4100)High-energy Southern eatery serving slow-smoked brisket, pork sandwiches, and craft beers with a lively patio.
- Locust · Restaurant · 4.8★ (450)Acclaimed, intimate dining destination celebrated for handmade dumplings, seafood tartares, and Kakigori shaved ice.
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.