Is Underwood Hills safe?
Atlanta, Georgia · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Underwood Hills as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Underwood Hills
“Go. Underwood Hills is a safe, family-oriented neighborhood on Atlanta's Upper Westside with tree-lined residential streets and low violent crime. Visitors should exercise standard urban precautions, mainly securing parked vehicles against opportunistic break-ins.”
About the area
Underwood Hills blends quiet mid-century residential streets and modern townhomes with convenient access to the thriving Upper Westside dining and craft beverage scene. It offers a relaxed neighborhood park, established community feel, and quick access to major Atlanta corridors.
- Family-Friendly
- Quiet Residential
- Tree-Lined
- Upper Westside
Walking and biking in Underwood Hills
Walk score: 58/100 · Bike score: 46/100
The neighborhood has steep hills and limited dedicated bike lanes, but provides nearby access to the developing Northwest BeltLine spur trails and Path400 connections.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly lower violent crime rate compared to Atlanta citywide averages
- High median household income exceeding $120,000 and low poverty rate under 6%
- Active neighborhood association and well-maintained single-family homes and parks
- Proximity to premier Upper Westside dining, entertainment, and shopping
Cons
- Opportunistic vehicle break-ins around busy commercial borders like Howell Mill and Defoor
- Industrial rail line and heavy freight traffic border the western edge
- Hilly terrain and lack of contiguous sidewalks on some interior residential streets
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal within the residential core, though occasional unhoused individuals may be seen near interstate overpasses and busy commercial intersections along Howell Mill Road.
What Underwood Hills is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and pleasant with residents walking dogs and jogging along neighborhood streets.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm residential activity with increasing traffic flow along border thoroughfares like Collier and Defoor.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Vibrant and safe around local dining spots, though quieter side streets grow dimly lit.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Generally calm and low-risk, though foot traffic drops sharply and basic vigilance is advised.
Transit, parking and getting around
MARTA operates bus route 12 along Howell Mill Road, connecting riders directly to the Midtown MARTA rail station roughly 3 miles away.
Residential street parking is readily available and mostly free; commercial establishments along Collier and Howell Mill offer dedicated surface lots.
Things to do in Underwood Hills
- Relax, play tennis, or walk dogs at Underwood Hills Park
- Sample Korean-Mexican fusion tacos at Hankook Taqueria
- Explore the nearby craft breweries and dining spots across the Upper Westside district
Local favorites
- Hankook Taqueria · Korean-Mexican Fusion · 4.6★ (3200)Acclaimed casual counter serving Korean BBQ tacos, sesame fries, and sliders.
- The Companion · Pub / American · 4.6★ (650)Neighborhood gathering spot featuring elevated pub fare, craft beers, and a spacious patio.
- Nuevo Laredo Cantina · Mexican Restaurant · 4.5★ (3900)Longtime local staple just west of the neighborhood serving hearty classic Tex-Mex plates.
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.