Is Tara safe?
Arlington, Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Tara as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Tara
“Go. Tara is an exceptionally safe, affluent, and peaceful residential enclave in North Arlington. Visitors and residents can walk the neighborhood at any hour with virtually no concerns regarding violent crime.”
About the area
Tara is a charming, leafy neighborhood defined by mid-century single-family homes, manicured yards, and a quiet community feel. It offers immediate proximity to neighborhood shops along Langston Boulevard while maintaining a secluded suburban atmosphere just minutes from Washington, D.C.
- Quiet / Suburban
- Family-Friendly
- Tree-Lined / Leafy
- Affluent
Walking and biking in Tara
Walk score: 58/100 · Bike score: 68/100
Capital Bikeshare stations are positioned along Langston Boulevard, and low-stress neighborhood streets easily connect cyclists to the Custis Trail and Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are virtually non-existent and property crime is exceptionally low compared to national averages.
- Very high economic stability with median household incomes well above $200,000 and high rates of homeownership.
- Quiet, tree-canopied residential streets that provide a secure environment for walking, running, and families.
Cons
- Strictly residential interior requiring a short walk or drive to reach commercial amenities.
- Occasional opportunistic theft from unlocked parked vehicles or porch packages.
- Limited direct high-frequency rapid transit within the interior blocks.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in Tara, with no encampments or panhandling occurring within the residential neighborhood.
What Tara is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Crisp and active with neighborhood dog walkers, runners, and school-bound families.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and tranquil with minimal vehicular traffic on interior residential roads.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Pleasant and very safe as residents return from work and walk around the neighborhood.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely dark, quiet, and peaceful with very low activity and minimal safety risk.
Transit, parking and getting around
Arlington Transit (ART) routes 51, 52, and 53 and Metrobus routes run along Langston Boulevard and Washington Boulevard. The nearest rail stations are East Falls Church and Ballston-MU (Orange and Silver Lines), located about 1.5 miles away.
Street parking on residential roads is abundant, free, and generally unrestricted, though select blocks close to commercial strips may have residential permit zones.
Things to do in Tara
- Enjoy the playground, open turf, and recreational facilities at adjacent Leeway Park.
- Take an architectural walk along the quiet, tree-lined residential streets featuring mid-century and modern custom homes.
- Stroll over to the Lee Heights Shops on Langston Boulevard for artisan treats, local wine, and coffee.
Local favorites
- Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe · Bakery · 4.6★ (2150)Long-running German bakery and deli known for European pastries, artisan breads, and specialty cakes.
- Pastores Italian Delicatessen · Italian Deli · 4.7★ (460)Classic neighborhood deli offering authentic overstuffed Italian cold-cut subs and imported pantry goods.
- Lebanese Taverna Market · Middle Eastern Market · 4.5★ (490)Specialty market and cafe counter serving freshly prepared Lebanese mezze, shawarma, and Mediterranean groceries.
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.