Is The Lakes safe?
Virginia Beach, Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates The Lakes as “Go”.
Gogo's take on The Lakes
“Go. The Lakes is a quiet, well-maintained residential community in Virginia Beach with low rates of violent crime and a strong suburban presence. It is exceptionally safe for everyday visits, walks, and family life, though visitors should note that it is purely residential with commercial hubs located on nearby arterial roads.”
About the area
The Lakes is an established suburban neighborhood in central-south Virginia Beach centered around interconnected scenic retention ponds and quiet residential cul-de-sacs. Built primarily in the late 20th century, the area offers a stable community feel dominated by single-family homes, townhomes, and mature landscaping.
- Suburban
- Family-Friendly
- Quiet & Residential
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in The Lakes
Walk score: 28/100 · Bike score: 42/100
While there is no municipal bike-share system here, neighborhood streets are flat and have low vehicle speeds, connecting out toward multi-use trails along Princess Anne Road and Dam Neck Road.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are significantly lower than national and regional metropolitan benchmarks
- High rates of homeownership and stable middle-income household demographics
- Quiet, low-traffic residential streets ideal for daytime strolls and neighborhood activities
Cons
- Occasional opportunistic property crimes such as unlocked vehicle break-ins
- Suburban design lacks streetlights and continuous sidewalks on some residential loops
- Complete car dependency for accessing basic dining, groceries, and retail
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is practically non-existent within the interior residential streets of The Lakes, with occasional unhoused individuals seen only near major commercial shopping plazas along surrounding regional thoroughfares.
What The Lakes is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with residents walking dogs, jogging around the neighborhood ponds, and commuting out to work.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and quiet with school buses, children playing in yards, and light local traffic.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Subdued suburban atmosphere with residents relaxing at home and minimal vehicle movement on interior streets.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very dark and quiet due to low commercial activity; safe overall, though low ambient lighting means bringing a flashlight is advisable.
Transit, parking and getting around
Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) provides limited bus service along major perimeter corridors like Holland Road via Route 33, but there is no direct rail service and public transit options within the interior neighborhood are sparse.
Free and ample parking is readily available in private driveways, dedicated subdivision lots, and along unmetered residential curbs.
Things to do in The Lakes
- Walk or jog along the community lakes and landscaped suburban greenways
- Play sports, picnic, and use the playgrounds at nearby Princess Anne Athletic Complex or local neighborhood parks
- Visit the nearby Virginia Beach Farmers Market for local produce, seasonal events, and specialty foods
Local favorites
- Primo Pizzeria · Pizza Restaurant · 4.5★ (510)A neighborhood staple serving classic New York-style thin-crust pizza, calzones, and hearty pasta dishes.
- La Bella Italia · Italian Restaurant · 4.6★ (840)Casual dining spot offering authentic Italian entrees, fresh bread, and an adjoining Italian bakery and market.
- The Bagel Baker · Bakery & Bagel Shop · 4.7★ (1150)Popular local morning stop offering authentic boiled-and-baked New York style bagels and breakfast sandwiches.
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.