Is Willowdale safe?
Metairie, Louisiana · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Willowdale as “Go”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Willowdale
“Go. Willowdale is a calm, established suburban pocket in Metairie characterized by low violent crime and well-kept single-family homes. It offers a secure and peaceful base, provided you have a vehicle to get around.”
About the area
Willowdale is a classic mid-century residential neighborhood in Jefferson Parish defined by brick ranch-style homes and quiet cul-de-sacs. Situated between major commercial corridors, it provides convenient access to suburban Metairie amenities while insulating residents from heavy through-traffic.
- Quiet Suburban
- Family-Friendly
- Mid-Century Residential
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Willowdale
Walk score: 42/100 · Bike score: 48/100
Interior roads lack dedicated bike lanes, but low speed limits make leisure cycling feasible; connections to the multi-use Lake Pontchartrain Lakefront Trail require a short ride north, and municipal bike-share is not available in Jefferson Parish.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are significantly lower than both New Orleans and national metro benchmarks
- High homeownership rate and stable middle-to-upper-middle household incomes
- Easy access to major shopping, healthcare, and dining along Veterans Memorial Boulevard and Clearview Parkway
- Quiet, low-traffic residential streets with a strong neighborhood watch presence
Cons
- Occasional opportunistic property crimes such as unlocked car burglaries
- Highly car-dependent layout lacking contiguous sidewalks on many interior blocks
- Localized street flooding can occur during intense subtropical rain events
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence within the residential streets of Willowdale, though individuals occasionally solicit assistance near high-traffic retail intersections along major thoroughfares.
What Willowdale is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and safe, with residents walking dogs and joggers out before commuter traffic picks up.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Very quiet residential streets with minimal vehicle movement and excellent safety.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and family-oriented as residents return home and yards clear out by dusk.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely quiet and dark with minimal activity; safe, though basic precautions like locking vehicles should be observed.
Transit, parking and getting around
Jefferson Transit (JeT) operates bus routes along surrounding commercial corridors including Veterans Memorial Blvd (Route 201) and West Napoleon Ave, but there is no dedicated rail or BRT service and interior neighborhood streets lack direct transit stops.
Parking is completely hassle-free with ample private driveways and free, unrestricted curbside street parking throughout residential blocks.
Things to do in Willowdale
- Explore the walking paths, lagoons, and disc golf course at nearby Lafreniere Park
- Sample classic Louisiana seafood and po'boys at neighborhood institution Short Stop Poboys
- Cycle or walk along the Lake Pontchartrain Lakefront Trail located a short drive north
Local favorites
- Short Stop Poboys · Cajun/Creole Sandwich Shop · 4.6★ (3450)Long-running, no-frills counter serving legendary roast beef and fried seafood po'boys.
- Caffe! Caffe! · Cafe & Bakery · 4.6★ (720)Popular local cafe offering gourmet coffees, breakfast pastries, salads, and wraps.
- Mark Twain's Pizza Landing · Pizza Restaurant · 4.6★ (1280)Neighborhood favorite serving specialty pizzas, hearty po'boys, and craft beer in a quirky setting.
Neighborhoods near Willowdale
Common questions about Willowdale
Is Willowdale safe to walk at night?
Generally yes — use the same awareness you would anywhere after dark.
Is Willowdale a good place to live?
On safety, Willowdale scores 84/100 — safer than most of the areas we score, which is a good start for anyone looking to live here.
How walkable is Willowdale?
Walk score 42/100 and bike score 48/100. Most trips need a car.
Which areas near Willowdale are safer?
Willowdale scores as high as or higher than its closest neighbors.
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