Is West North Hills safe?
Raleigh, North Carolina · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates West North Hills as “Go”.
Gogo's take on West North Hills
“Go. West North Hills is one of Raleigh's safest and most tranquil residential neighborhoods, characterized by mature tree canopy and high community stability. Visitors will encounter minimal safety concerns beyond basic vigilance regarding unlocked vehicles.”
About the area
West North Hills is an established, affluent midtown Raleigh neighborhood offering a quiet suburban retreat immediately west of the vibrant North Hills commercial hub. The area features a mix of classic mid-century ranch homes and upscale modern rebuilds nestled along rolling, leafy streets.
- Quiet & Leafy
- Affluent Residential
- Family-Friendly
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in West North Hills
Walk score: 34/100 · Bike score: 42/100
The neighborhood connects quickly to the Crabtree Creek Greenway, though interior streets lack dedicated bike lanes; Cardinal Bikeshare docks are available nearby in the commercial district.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are exceptionally low and well below both city and national benchmarks.
- High median household incomes and strong owner-occupancy drive high levels of property upkeep.
- Direct neighborhood access to North Hills Park and nearby Capital Area Greenway connections.
Cons
- Occasional opportunistic property crimes such as unlocked vehicle break-ins.
- Lacks continuous sidewalks and comprehensive street lighting on many interior residential roads.
- High car dependency for shopping, dining, and daily errands.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is effectively absent from the residential blocks, with only rare panhandling seen around major commercial intersections along Six Forks Road.
What West North Hills is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Very safe and active with residents jogging, walking dogs, and heading out for morning commutes.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and peaceful with light local traffic and standard suburban park activity.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet residential feel where evening strollers are common, though low street lighting requires careful driving.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely low activity and very safe, though visitors should lock cars and stay on paved paths.
Transit, parking and getting around
GoRaleigh operates perimeter bus service on major corridors like Six Forks Road (Route 8), but interior residential streets have no fixed transit routes.
Ample, free residential curb parking is readily available throughout the neighborhood, with extensive free multi-deck parking at the adjacent North Hills mixed-use district.
Things to do in West North Hills
- Play tennis, pickleball, or walk the wooded trails at North Hills Park.
- Access the nearby Crabtree Creek Greenway trail for scenic biking and jogging.
- Stroll to the adjacent North Hills Midtown district for open-air shopping, cinema, and seasonal farmers markets.
Local favorites
- Vivace · Italian Restaurant · 4.4★ (1350)Contemporary trattoria serving handmade pastas and wood-fired pizzas with a lively patio.
- Coquette Brasserie · French Restaurant · 4.4★ (1180)Charming Parisian-style bistro offering classic French comfort dishes and boutique wines.
- Jubala Coffee · Coffee Shop · 4.6★ (1250)Popular local cafe recognized for craft espresso, specialty pour-overs, and fresh sweet biscuits.
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.