Is The Oaks safe?
Tampa, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates The Oaks as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on The Oaks
“Go with care. The Oaks is primarily a residential pocket in North Tampa that is generally calm during the day but sits adjacent to busier commercial thoroughfares with higher property crime rates. Visitors staying in local rentals or passing through should remain mindful of vehicle security and avoid walking alone along outer arterial corridors at late hours.”
About the area
The Oaks is a quiet, tree-lined residential neighborhood nestled between Temple Terrace and the bustling University of South Florida area. It features a blend of mid-century single-family homes, rental duplexes, and mature oak canopies close to the Hillsborough River and major Tampa attractions.
- Suburban
- Tree-Lined
- Car-Dependent
- Residential
Walking and biking in The Oaks
Walk score: 42/100 · Bike score: 48/100
No dedicated bike-share kiosks are inside the neighborhood, but cyclists can connect to bike lanes along Busch Boulevard and nearby Temple Terrace river trails.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Lower violent crime profile within the interior residential streets compared to neighboring commercial corridors
- Close driving proximity to USF, Busch Gardens, and Adventure Island
- Plentiful tree canopy providing a shaded suburban residential atmosphere
Cons
- Elevated vehicle break-ins and property theft typical of the surrounding North Tampa/Fowler corridor
- Higher rental density and below-metro-median household income in adjacent census tracts
- Limited street lighting on secondary interior roads
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal within interior residential blocks, though panhandling and unhoused individuals are occasionally seen along major perimeter intersections such as Busch Boulevard and 56th Street.
What The Oaks is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and quiet as residents commute, with dog walkers and joggers out along residential streets.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Low-key neighborhood activity with minimal foot traffic and standard residential traffic flow.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet in the interior blocks, though traffic and activity pick up along boundary corridors like 56th Street.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Calm on interior streets but caution is advised due to sparse lighting and spillover property crime from surrounding commercial areas.
Transit, parking and getting around
Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) serves the periphery with bus routes along 56th Street and Busch Boulevard; there is no passenger rail or BRT in this immediate area.
Driveway and residential street parking is free and straightforward with no parking meters or commercial garages in the neighborhood.
Things to do in The Oaks
- Take a short drive to explore the thrill rides at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
- Enjoy a peaceful picnic or stroll nearby along the Hillsborough River at Riverhills Park
- Explore the botanical displays and greenhouses at the nearby USF Botanical Gardens
Local favorites
- Trophy Fish · Seafood Restaurant · 4.6★ (850)A relaxed nearby dining spot serving fresh Florida catches, craft cocktails, and boat-to-table specials.
- King Corona Cigars & Cafe · Cafe & Lounge · 4.7★ (1120)Historic Tampa institution offering Cuban coffee, sandwiches, and premium cigars just a short drive away.
- Mr. Dunderbak's Biergarten and Brewery · German Restaurant & Pub · 4.7★ (3200)Longtime local staple nearby featuring authentic German fare, sausage platters, and an extensive craft beer list.
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.