Is Tanglewood safe?
Chesapeake, Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Tanglewood as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on Tanglewood
“Go. Tanglewood is an established, quiet residential enclave in northern Chesapeake that offers a peaceful suburban setting. Visitors will find minimal serious safety risks, though general awareness regarding car break-ins along busier nearby thoroughfares is always advised.”
About the area
Tanglewood is a mature, mid-century suburban neighborhood in Chesapeake characterized by single-family ranch homes, quiet side streets, and tidy yards. It is largely residential, relying on nearby Indian River and Greenbrier commercial corridors for dining, shopping, and entertainment.
- Suburban
- Quiet
- Car-Dependent
- Family-Friendly
Walking and biking in Tanglewood
Walk score: 28/100 · Bike score: 38/100
There are no dedicated bike lanes or bike-share stations inside Tanglewood, though low-speed residential streets are relatively easy to cycle before connecting to Indian River Park trails.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Stable residential neighborhood with high homeownership and low violent crime rates
- Quiet cul-de-sacs and tree-lined streets with negligible pedestrian through-traffic
- Close highway access to I-64 and Military Highway for commuting across Hampton Roads
- Strong local military and family presence contributing to a tight-knit community feel
Cons
- Occasional opportunistic property crimes like vehicle tampering reported near main corridors
- Strictly residential interior with zero commercial destinations within comfortable walking distance
- Limited sidewalk connectivity throughout older sections of the subdivision
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence within Tanglewood's residential streets, though occasional panhandling may be observed along commercial stretches of nearby Military Highway.
What Tanglewood is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and calm as residents walk dogs and commute to work or nearby naval bases.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Quiet suburban environment with minimal traffic and a safe atmosphere throughout residential blocks.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Settled and quiet, suitable for evening walks on streets with decent residential lighting.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very low activity; safe overall, but street lighting can be sparse on some interior cul-de-sacs.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is managed by Hampton Roads Transit (HRT), with bus routes running along nearby arterials like Military Highway and Indian River Road, though service within the neighborhood itself is minimal and no rail transit exists nearby.
Parking is exceptionally easy, with ample free private driveways and unrestricted, free residential street parking throughout the neighborhood.
Things to do in Tanglewood
- Enjoy a relaxing stroll or jog through the quiet, shaded neighborhood loop streets
- Visit nearby Indian River Park for shaded woodland trails and a popular disc golf course
- Launch a kayak or fish along the nearby waterways of the Elizabeth River basin
Local favorites
- The Cutting Edge Cafe · American Restaurant · 4.8★ (460)A nearby local favorite serving scratch-made sandwiches, seasonal soups, and artisan baked goods.
- Pollard's Chicken · Southern Restaurant · 4.3★ (680)Longtime local spot celebrated for classic Virginia-style fried chicken, hearty sides, and sweet tea.
- Big Woody's Bar & Grill · Sports Bar · 4.2★ (920)Lively neighborhood watering hole nearby featuring live music, wings, 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.