Is Woodland-in-Waverly safe?
Nashville, Tennessee · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Woodland-in-Waverly as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Woodland-in-Waverly
“Go. Woodland-in-Waverly is one of Nashville's oldest and most charming historic residential pockets, offering a peaceful and safe environment for visitors. Violent crime is exceptionally low in the neighborhood core, though standard urban precautions against opportunistic vehicle break-ins along border corridors like 8th Avenue South are recommended.”
About the area
Nestled just south of downtown between 8th Avenue South and 12 South, Woodland-in-Waverly is a designated historic district characterized by lush tree-lined streets and beautifully restored Victorian and Craftsman homes. Visitors enjoy a quiet, neighborhood feel with quick walking access to bustling dining and antique districts nearby.
- Historic / Tree-Lined
- Peaceful Residential
- Bungalow Haven
- Antique Corridor Adjacent
Walking and biking in Woodland-in-Waverly
Walk score: 68/100 · Bike score: 62/100
There are shared-lane markings along key thoroughfares, and riders can connect north via 8th/4th Avenue to the Nashville Downtown Greenways, though dedicated bike lanes directly through the interior are limited.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Very low rates of violent crime and a tight-knit residential community
- High household incomes, high rates of homeownership, and well-maintained historic properties
- Immediate access to top-rated dining and retail corridors along 8th Avenue South and nearby 12 South
Cons
- Occasional vehicle break-ins and property crimes typical of inner-ring urban neighborhoods
- Narrow residential streets with limited sidewalks in certain interior segments
- Spillover traffic and parking congestion from the adjacent 8th Avenue commercial strip
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal within the interior historic streets, though unhoused individuals or panhandling can occasionally be observed along major intersections on 8th Avenue South and near Wedgewood Avenue.
What Woodland-in-Waverly is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and quiet with neighbors walking dogs and joggers taking advantage of low-traffic residential streets.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and residential with modest vehicle traffic on main cut-through routes like Ridley and Wedgewood.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Pleasantly active along the commercial perimeter on 8th Avenue South with diners and venue-goers; interior streets remain very quiet and safe.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Subdued and dark due to residential street lighting; while safe, situational awareness is advised when walking near commercial borders.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is operated by WeGo Public Transit, primarily served by Route 8 along 8th Avenue South and Route 17 along 12th Avenue South, providing frequent 10-15 minute rides straight into downtown Nashville.
Residential street parking is free and generally straightforward, though it can get congested during peak comedy club hours or weekend evenings near 8th Avenue South.
Things to do in Woodland-in-Waverly
- Take a self-guided architectural walking tour to admire the neighborhood's Victorian, Queen Anne, and Craftsman bungalows
- Browse vintage goods and oddities along the 8th Avenue South antique district
- Walk over to nearby Reservoir Park or explore dining along the Melrose strip
Local favorites
- The Hook · American Restaurant · 4.5★ (460)Neighborhood hangout offering craft beers, elevated sandwiches, and a relaxed outdoor patio.
- Zanies Comedy Night Club · Comedy Club · 4.7★ (3200)Legendary comedy venue on the 8th Avenue border featuring nationally touring stand-up acts.
- Franklin Road Cycle · Bicycle Shop · 4.8★ (110)Local bicycle shop offering maintenance, gear, and friendly cycling expertise for commuters.
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.