Is Westboro safe?
Bethesda, Maryland · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Westboro as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Westboro
“Go. Westboro is an exceptionally safe, affluent, and tranquil residential pocket located immediately adjacent to downtown Bethesda. Visitors can explore the area on foot at any time of day or night with minimal safety concerns.”
About the area
Westboro is a quiet, tree-lined residential neighborhood characterized by well-tended single-family homes, manicured lawns, and upscale living. Situated right on the perimeter of downtown Bethesda, it combines suburban peace with quick walking access to premier dining, retail, and transit.
- Affluent Residential
- Tree-Lined / Peaceful
- Family-Friendly
- Walkable Dining Hub
Walking and biking in Westboro
Walk score: 78/100 · Bike score: 82/100
Multiple Capital Bikeshare stations border the neighborhood, offering direct on-street and off-street access to the Capital Crescent Trail network.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are among the lowest in the greater Washington, D.C. metropolitan area
- Affluent economic base with median household incomes well over $200,000 and strong civic investment
- Direct, walkable access to downtown Bethesda amenities and the Capital Crescent Trail
Cons
- Isolated incidents of opportunistic property crime, such as unlocked car rifling and package theft
- High vehicular congestion on perimeter arterial roads during morning and evening rush hours
- Strict residential permit parking limits street parking for non-residents
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence within Westboro's residential blocks, though occasional unhoused individuals or panhandlers can be observed near the Bethesda Metro station plaza and main Wisconsin Avenue intersections.
What Westboro is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Quiet and welcoming, filled with dog walkers, joggers, and professionals walking to the Metro.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Peaceful and sunny with minimal traffic on residential streets and steady pedestrian flow near the shops.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Lively yet relaxed as residents stroll toward nearby restaurants and outdoor patios.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Calm, dark, and very safe, though standard caution is prudent on quieter, shaded residential blocks.
Transit, parking and getting around
WMATA Red Line rail service is accessible at the Bethesda Metro Station roughly a 10-minute walk away, complemented by frequent Montgomery County Ride On buses along Wisconsin Avenue and Arlington Road.
Residential street parking is tightly regulated with Montgomery County residential permits; visitors should use Montgomery County public parking garages nearby on Bethesda Avenue for around $1.50 to $2.25 per hour.
Things to do in Westboro
- Walk or cycle along the paved, scenic Capital Crescent Trail toward Georgetown or Silver Spring
- Enjoy open-air shopping, cinema, and outdoor dining across the street in Bethesda Row
- Spend a quiet afternoon relaxing or playing tennis at nearby Greenwich Park
Local favorites
- Woodmont Grill · American Restaurant · 4.5★ (1820)Upscale, dimly lit dining room serving classic American steaks, burgers, and cocktails with live jazz.
- Duck Duck Goose Bethesda · French Restaurant · 4.4★ (760)Chic Parisian-style brasserie featuring classic French fare, charcuterie, and patio seating.
- Ceremony Coffee Roasters · Coffee Shop · 4.6★ (360)Modern specialty cafe serving single-origin espresso drinks, seasonal pours, and light pastries.
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.