Is Sunnyside North East safe?
Nashville, Tennessee · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Sunnyside North East as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Sunnyside North East
“Go. Sunnyside is a peaceful, historic, and very safe residential pocket in South Nashville bordered by Sevier Park, 12 South, and Melrose. Violent crime is rare, and standard urban awareness regarding locked vehicles is all that is typically required.”
Local news has centered on the successful multi-million dollar historic restoration of the Sunnyside Mansion and grounds within Sevier Park.
About the area
Sunnyside is a charming, tree-shaded neighborhood centered around the antebellum Sunnyside mansion inside Sevier Park. It combines quiet residential streets of historic bungalows and newer builds with effortless walking access to popular dining, boutique shopping, and green space.
- Historic / Tree-Lined
- Family-Friendly
- Parkside
- Quiet Residential
Walking and biking in Sunnyside North East
Walk score: 74/100 · Bike score: 68/100
Biking is popular along calm residential roads and paved paths in Sevier Park, with Nashville BCycle stations positioned nearby along 12th Avenue South.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly lower violent crime rates than the broader Nashville metropolitan average
- High median household incomes and exceptionally well-maintained housing stock
- Direct pedestrian access to Sevier Park's community center, green space, and farmers market
- High rates of homeownership and active neighborhood involvement
Cons
- Opportunistic property crime such as unlocked vehicle break-ins occurs occasionally
- Heavy weekend traffic spillover from neighboring 12 South commercial strips
- Very high real estate and rental price points
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal within Sunnyside's residential core, with only occasional individuals passing through the 8th Avenue South corridor or Sevier Park.
What Sunnyside North East is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Active and welcoming, filled with morning joggers, dog walkers, and coffee seekers heading toward Sevier Park.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Pleasant and calm with gentle residential foot traffic and families enjoying the park.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Safe and vibrant along park borders and near dining hubs, settling into a quiet residential atmosphere.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very dark and quiet on interior streets with minimal foot traffic, remaining broadly safe though quiet vigilance is smart.
Transit, parking and getting around
WeGo Public Transit operates Route 17 along 12th Avenue South and Route 8 along 8th Avenue South, delivering reliable 15-minute direct bus rides to downtown Nashville.
Free on-street parking is generally accessible on residential side streets, though parking lots around Sevier Park can fill quickly during peak weekend hours.
Things to do in Sunnyside North East
- Tour the historic grounds of Sunnyside Mansion and relax in Sevier Park
- Shop at the seasonal 12 South Farmers Market featuring regional produce and local vendors
- Walk to the neighboring 12th Avenue South and 8th Avenue South dining corridors
Local favorites
- Frothy Monkey · Coffee Shop & Cafe · 4.6★ (3450)A neighborhood staple serving specialty coffee drinks, breakfast fare, and light dinner options in an inviting bungalow setting.
- Edley's Bar-B-Que · Barbecue Restaurant · 4.6★ (4900)Popular local eatery serving slow-smoked meats, classic Southern sides, and craft draft beers.
- M.L.Rose Craft Beer & Burgers · Pub & Grill · 4.5★ (2150)Relaxed neighborhood tavern offering gourmet burgers, an expansive craft beer selection, and patio seating.
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.