Is The Palms on Lamar safe?
Austin, Texas · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates The Palms on Lamar as “Caution”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on The Palms on Lamar
“Go with care. While daytime visits to the diverse cultural eateries and shopping plazas along North Lamar are generally fine, the surrounding corridor experiences elevated rates of property crime and opportunistic street crime. Maintain standard urban awareness, secure your vehicle, and avoid poorly lit commercial strip corridors late at night.”
About the area
The Palms on Lamar refers to the dense residential and commercial strip centered along North Lamar Boulevard in North Austin, near the Rundberg corridor. It is a bustling, highly multicultural area known for an exceptional array of authentic international restaurants, Asian markets, and Latin American bakeries, set against mid-century apartment complexes and strip malls.
- Multicultural Hub
- Commercial Corridor
- Transit-Adjacent
- Auto-Centric
Walking and biking in The Palms on Lamar
Walk score: 68/100 · Bike score: 52/100
CapMetro bikeshare is not prevalent in this outer corridor, and protected bike lanes are limited along North Lamar, though quieter residential side streets offer basic neighborhood cycling.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Vibrant international dining and specialty grocery scene within walking distance
- Active daytime foot traffic around neighborhood shopping plazas
- High frequency CapMetro bus transit connecting directly to Central Austin
Cons
- Above-average rates of vehicle break-ins, auto thefts, and property crimes along the commercial corridor
- Area household incomes and poverty metrics lag significantly behind the wider Austin metro average
- Pedestrian infrastructure along busy arterial lanes can feel disjointed and hazardous
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is moderately common along North Lamar Boulevard, primarily visible near major intersections, bus stops, and vacant lots, with occasional panhandling near commercial strip plazas.
What The Palms on Lamar is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Active and generally safe with commuters, school traffic, and local workers picking up breakfast.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Busy commercial activity around shopping centers with steady foot traffic and normal daytime safety conditions.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Dining spots remain active, but parking lots and side streets require heightened awareness as daylight fades.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Activity drops off outside of 24-hour convenience stores, with increased risk of opportunistic theft and loitering.
Transit, parking and getting around
Served by Capital Metro (CapMetro), including high-frequency Route 801 (MetroRapid) along North Lamar Boulevard with direct service to downtown Austin, and local bus Route 1.
Most strip malls and apartment complexes have free surface lot parking, though visitors should not leave any valuables visible inside vehicles due to smash-and-grab risks.
Things to do in The Palms on Lamar
- Sample authentic regional Mexican dishes and street tacos at local food trucks and taquerias
- Explore Asian grocers and specialty markets at the nearby Chinatown Center on North Lamar
- Browse bakeries and Latin American supermarkets along the commercial strip
Local favorites
- Chinatown Center · Shopping Mall · 4.5★ (3200)A major hub for Asian supermarkets, bakeries, tea shops, and dim sum restaurants.
- First Chinese BBQ · Chinese Restaurant · 4.3★ (1150)A neighborhood staple known for traditional roasted duck, pork, and family-style Cantonese dishes.
- Taqueria Guadalajara · Mexican Restaurant · 4.2★ (820)Casual neighborhood eatery serving classic Mexican comfort food and breakfast tacos.
Neighborhoods near The Palms on Lamar
Common questions about The Palms on Lamar
Is The Palms on Lamar safe to walk at night?
Take care after dark: stick to lit main streets or take a ride.
Is The Palms on Lamar a good place to live?
On safety, The Palms on Lamar scores 60/100 — below average, so visit at different times of day before deciding to move.
How walkable is The Palms on Lamar?
Walk score 68/100 and bike score 52/100. Some errands can be done on foot.
Which areas near The Palms on Lamar are safer?
Lantana Trace (91), Holiday Square (75), Wooten (74) score higher nearby.
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