Is Sunset Hills safe?
Reston, Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Sunset Hills as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Sunset Hills
“Go. Sunset Hills is an exceptionally safe, prosperous commercial and residential transit corridor in Fairfax County. Visitors face minimal safety risks, whether commuting via the Silver Line, dining at Reston Station, or recreating along the regional trail network.”
About the area
Sunset Hills spans the bustling northern edge of the Dulles Toll Road in Reston, characterized by modern mid-rise office campuses, transit-oriented mixed-use developments, and retail plazas. It is seamlessly integrated with the Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail and offers direct access to the Metro Silver Line.
- Transit-Oriented
- Corporate Campus
- Safe & Modern
- Trail-Adjacent
Walking and biking in Sunset Hills
Walk score: 64/100 · Bike score: 78/100
Capital Bikeshare stations are available at the Wiehle-Reston East station, providing direct, seamless on-ramps to the 45-mile paved Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are negligible and property crime is well below state and national averages.
- Extremely strong economic baseline with high median household incomes and robust employment across tech, defense, and professional services.
- Immediate connectivity to the Washington Metro Silver Line and the 45-mile paved W&OD Trail.
- Well-maintained infrastructure with active corporate campus security and frequent Fairfax County police patrols.
Cons
- Car-centric arterial road layout can create wide crossings and pedestrian delays outside of the transit plazas.
- Occasional isolated vehicle break-ins reported in commuter and retail parking garages.
- Can feel somewhat desolate and corporate after standard business hours away from the Metro plaza.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is very low, with occasional individuals near transit bus bays or highway overpasses, while comprehensive county support services operate elsewhere in Reston.
What Sunset Hills is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Active and clean with Silver Line commuters, tech workers, and early morning runners on the W&OD Trail.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Bustling lunch crowd at Reston Station and Plaza America with heavy, orderly vehicular traffic.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Pleasant and relaxed atmosphere as professionals gather at plaza patios and commuters head home safely.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet and low-activity outside transit arrival windows, but remains thoroughly secure and well illuminated.
Transit, parking and getting around
The neighborhood is anchored by the Wiehle-Reston East Metro station (Silver Line) with nearby access to Reston Town Center station, supported by comprehensive Fairfax Connector bus routes like the 505, 574, and RIBS lines.
Ample parking is available in multi-level commuter and retail garages (such as ParkX at Reston Station and free customer parking at Plaza America); on-street parking is minimal.
Things to do in Sunset Hills
- Bike, run, or walk along the tree-lined Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) multi-use trail running directly through the area.
- Enjoy outdoor dining, community events, and seasonal pop-ups at the Reston Metro Plaza.
- Explore modern shopping and diverse quick-bite dining options throughout the Plaza America retail complex.
Local favorites
- Founding Farmers Reston Station · American Restaurant · 4.3★ (3850)Sustainably sourced, farmer-owned restaurant serving hearty scratch-made comfort food and craft cocktails right at the Metro plaza.
- Matchbox Reston Station · Pizza Restaurant · 4.2★ (1150)Modern neighborhood bistro popular for wood-fired artisanal pizzas, mini-burgers, and relaxed patio seating.
- Total Wine & More · Liquor Store · 4.6★ (1220)Expansive beverage superstore offering a massive selection of fine wines, craft beers, spirits, and tasting events.
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.