Is Woodhaven safe?
Bethesda, Maryland · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Woodhaven as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Woodhaven
“Go. Woodhaven is an exceptionally safe, affluent residential enclave in Bethesda characterized by quiet tree-lined streets and well-maintained single-family homes. Visitors and residents face minimal safety risks at any hour, with violent crime virtually nonexistent.”
About the area
Woodhaven is a peaceful, upscale suburban neighborhood nestled just west of downtown Bethesda. It offers quiet, leafy residential blocks close to top-tier schools, local parks, and the bustling dining and retail options of Bethesda Row.
- Quiet / Suburban
- Affluent
- Family-Friendly
- Tree-Lined
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Woodhaven
Walk score: 38/100 · Bike score: 52/100
Capital Bikeshare docks are available near downtown Bethesda, and riders have straightforward access to the Capital Crescent Trail just east of the neighborhood.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime is virtually nonexistent with exceptionally low overall property crime rates
- Median household income exceeds $250,000 with nearly universal health coverage and high homeownership
- Quiet, low-traffic neighborhood streets shaded by mature trees
- Direct proximity to Bethesda Row and the Capital Crescent Trail network
Cons
- Car-dependent with virtually no commercial amenities within the residential core
- Occasional opportunistic property thefts, such as unlocked vehicle break-ins or package theft
- Limited public transit access directly cutting through the interior residential streets
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not present in Woodhaven; any occasional panhandling or social services in the region are centered around the downtown Bethesda commercial district and Metro station.
What Woodhaven is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with dog walkers, runners, and school commuters feeling completely safe.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and quiet with standard residential activity and delivery vehicles traversing the lanes.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Serene and relaxing with families walking after dinner under well-lit residential streetlamps.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely dark and silent with negligible pedestrian traffic, remaining very safe overall.
Transit, parking and getting around
Montgomery County Ride On buses run along perimeter arterials like Bradley Boulevard, connecting to the Bethesda Metro Station (Red Line) roughly 1.5 to 2 miles away.
Residential street parking is readily available and generally free without meters, though some blocks require local residential permits during weekday hours.
Things to do in Woodhaven
- Stroll or jog along the quiet, tree-lined residential streets connecting to Merrimack Park
- Hop onto the nearby Capital Crescent Trail for a scenic bike ride toward Georgetown or Silver Spring
- Head five minutes east into Bethesda Row for boutique shopping and upscale dining
Local favorites
- Mon Ami Gabi · French Bistro · 4.5★ (2150)Classic French bistro serving steaks, frites, and fine wines on an open-air patio nearby on Bethesda Avenue.
- Pizzeria da Marco · Italian Restaurant · 4.4★ (840)Neighborhood spot offering authentic Neapolitan thin-crust wood-fired pizzas and craft beers.
- South Moon Under · Clothing Boutique · 4.3★ (65)Chic apparel retailer nearby offering contemporary casual wear, swimwear, and accessories.
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.