Is Temple Crest safe?
Tampa, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Temple Crest as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Temple Crest
“Go with care. Temple Crest provides scenic pockets along the Hillsborough River and quick access to nearby attractions, but higher property crime rates and spillover from busy surrounding corridors necessitate standard situational awareness. Daytime recreation near parks and residential riverfronts is generally safe, while nighttime pedestrian activity is best avoided.”
Local law enforcement maintains active neighborhood patrols addressing sporadic vehicle burglaries and retail-adjacent property offenses along the Busch Boulevard corridor.
About the area
Temple Crest is an established, working-class residential neighborhood nestled along the Hillsborough River in northeast Tampa. Characterized by modest mid-century single-family homes, leafy riverfront spots, and strip commercial corridors along its borders, it serves primarily as a quiet residential enclave between Busch Gardens and downtown.
- Riverside
- Residential
- Working-Class
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Temple Crest
Walk score: 42/100 · Bike score: 48/100
There are no bike-share kiosks in the neighborhood, and dedicated cycling lanes are limited primarily to select sections of surrounding main avenues.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Picturesque Hillsborough River frontage with public boat access at Temple Crest Park.
- Convenient central positioning close to USF, Busch Gardens, and Interstate 275.
- Active neighborhood association engaged in community cleanups and riverside preservation.
Cons
- Above-average property crime and vehicle theft rates relative to Tampa metro averages.
- Lower median household income and elevated local poverty rates impacting infrastructure maintenance.
- Inconsistent sidewalk networks, poor pedestrian lighting, and fast-moving traffic along border arterials.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is moderately noticeable along the commercial edges of Busch Boulevard and 40th Street with occasional panhandling at intersections, but encampments are largely absent from interior residential streets.
What Temple Crest is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and quiet with minimal foot traffic as commuters depart and early joggers visit the riverfront park.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Fairly active residential atmosphere with routine neighborhood movement, feeling generally safe for outdoor tasks.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Streets quiet down significantly as dusk falls; stick to well-lit areas and lock parked vehicles.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Safety noticeably decreases late at night due to poor lighting and isolated streets; walking alone is not recommended.
Transit, parking and getting around
Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) serves the periphery via Route 39 along Busch Boulevard and Route 12 on 40th Street, but there is no rail or BRT connection nearby.
Parking is generally hassle-free, with free on-street parking available on most residential streets and free surface lots at parks and commercial plazas.
Things to do in Temple Crest
- Launch a kayak, canoe, or small boat from the public ramp at Temple Crest Park.
- Enjoy quiet riverfront walking and birdwatching along the Hillsborough River shoreline.
- Sample diverse international dining options along the East Busch Boulevard and 56th Street corridors.
Local favorites
- Mel's Hot Dogs · Hot Dog Restaurant · 4.5★ (3650)Historic, vibrant roadside eatery serving classic Chicago-style dogs, burgers, and comfort sides since 1973.
- Yah Mon Caribbean Restaurant · Caribbean Restaurant · 4.4★ (420)Laid-back neighborhood favorite offering authentic jerk chicken, oxtail, curry goat, and plantains.
- Jerusalem Mediterranean Restaurant · Middle Eastern Restaurant · 4.3★ (1150)Popular dining room offering generous platters of shawarma, kebabs, hummus, and fresh pita bread.
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.